We must subordinate the component
effect to the total effect.
66. In deciding how practically to carry out the principles of
artistic composition, we may derive help by bearing in mind a fact
already pointed out--the fitness of certain verbal arrangements for
certain kinds of thought. That constant variety in the mode of
presenting ideas which the theory demands, will in a great degree
result from a skilful adaptation of the form to the matter. We saw
how the direct or inverted sentence is spontaneously used by excited
people; and how their language is also characterized by figures
of speech and by extreme brevity. Hence these may with advantage
predominate in emotional passages; and may increase as the emotion
rises. On the other hand, for complex ideas, the indirect sentence
seems the best vehicle. In conversation, the excitement produced by
the near approach to a desired conclusion, will often show itself
in a series of short, sharp sentences; while, in impressing a view
already enunciated, we generally make our periods voluminous by
piling thought upon thought.
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