(1) What are they but miserable birds, with their wings close clipped, who, longing to soar, are for ever falling back to earth,
breaking their legs! (2) You have a fearless genius, and your work sparkles with imagination. (3) I much prefer your generous faults to the mediocre prettinesses with which we are cloyed. (4) If you will allow me to tell you where I think you can improve yourself in your art, I should say: Beware, lest in attempting the grand, you overshoot the mark and fall into the grandiose: only employ true similes: and be sure always to use exactly the right word. What does this paragraph reveal about Voltaire's perception of Helvetius's writing? Group of answer choices It is eloquent and true but often mediocre. It is excessive and mundane yet erudite at times. It is scholarly and informed but also pompous. It is unique but sometimes pretentious and showy.
This paragraph reveals the following perception by Voltaire concerning Helvetius's writing:
D. It is unique but sometimes pretentious and showy.
Explanation:
It is sentence number 2 that shows how Voltaire appreciates the uniqueness in Helvetius's writing. Notice that Voltaire says he possesses a "fearless genius," and that his "work sparkles with imagination." There is something special, thus, about his writing, something Voltaire admires. However, sentence 4 reveals there is also something to be criticized. It is Voltaire's opinion that Helvetius's writing can be showy and pretentious. He advises him not to "fall into the grandiose." Keeping it simple, using the "right word" and "true similes" is, to Voltaire's mind, better.
