Genre
Political pamphlet
Setting and Context
Written in 1790s, set in France during the early stages of the French Revolution.
Narrator and Point of View
The narrator is Edmund Burke, an Irish philosopher and statesman who belonged to the Whig party. He writes as himself in his text, criticizing the French Revolution.
Tone and Mood
The tone is philosophical and critical. The mood is sometimes sombre and serious, when predicting the violent outcome of the French Revolution.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Burke himself, and his is writing against the leaders of the French Revolution.
Major Conflict
The major conflict in this piece is the French Revolution. Burke predicts that the revolution will become violent.
Climax
The climax of the text is the scene where he predicts the death of the Queen and King of France.
Foreshadowing
With this piece, Burke foreshadows the eventual violent outcome of the French Revolution.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
Burke alludes to the philosopher Cicero: "crudelem illam hastam," meaning that cruel spear.
Imagery
The Queen of France is described with extensive imagery. For example she is described as "glittering like the morning star, full of life and splendour and joy." These descriptions suggest she is ethereal and beautiful.
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
Burke uses parallelism to emphasise his argument, repeating the phrase "little did I dream":
"Little did I dream when she added titles of veneration to those of enthusiastic, distant, respectful love, that she should ever be obliged to carry the sharp antidote against disgrace concealed in that bosom; little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fallen upon her."
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Burke repeatedly refers to the monarchy as "The Crown".
Personification
Burke uses personification in the following quote: "ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards."
