LEISURE+TIMED+WRITING

In the passage "Leisure," the author George Elliot suggests that the ease of old leisure has been replaced with a rushed new leisure that never rests. However while Elliot longs for old leisure she still appreciates the fast sophisticated ways of new leisure. in the passage Elliot juxtaposes her two views of leisure through nostalgic, satirical, and objective tones. The author conveys her view by use of M-dash, personification, detailed imagery and formal diction. In Elliot's lifetime there has been a shift in the ways of relaxation and leisure. While in the earlier part of her life leisure was slow and idle ("fond of sauntering," "contemplative," "jolly conscience"); leisure is now "eager" and filled with "ingenious philosophers." We can tell Elliot favors old leisure when she uses the phrase "sunny afternoons" when discussing when the peddlers used to come to her door. "Sunny afternoons" has a positive connotation and therefor gives readers a warm feeling when reading about old leisure. It is again clear that the author prefers old leisure when she states that it is "undiseased by hypothesis" suggesting that the ever questioning nature of new leisure is relatable to sickness and unhappiness.