Bromides & Sulphite

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(3) BROMIDES AND SULPHITES
(Gelett Burgess)
GENERAL INTRODUCTION:-
“Bromides and Sulphites” is an interesting, humorous and quite
different essay by Gelett Burgess, who was a well-known American humourist and prose writer. He wrote a number
of humorous articles and stories together with his illustrations. This essay has been extracted from his
famous book: “Are you a Bromide?”
MAIN IDEA OF THE STORY: - (Theme)
This essay is a humorous discussion of two types of human beings. One is
named as Bromides while other Sulphites. This division is quite convincing, logical, apt and correct. The
basic difference between both the groups lies in their attitude towards life as well as their general
thoughts. In the writer opinion, the Bromides, being ordinary in their ideas and behaviour, from the larger
group of human beings; whereas, the sulphites, being extra-ordinary in their ideas and behavior, constitute a
smaller group of human beings.
SUMMARY: -
According to the writer, the entire human beings can be divided into two distinct groups on the basis
of their attitudes, ideas and behaviour. In this context, the writer has successfully used the device of
contrast to differentiate these groups. Moreover he has authenticated his argument by quoting the most
important personalities of the world. Their thoughts, attitudes and mental inclinations from History,
Polities, Art and Literature.
Qualities of Bromides: -
Chemically, Bromides is chemical compound of bromine, used in medicine to calm
nerves. According to Burgess, a bromide is a person whose thoughts and conversation are ordinary and
conventional. He follows the well-worm paths of life. He is a follower of customs and tradition. All Bromides
think and react in a similar way. Being Philistine or Conservations. They are opposed to change. They live
like very average or common people and do everything in its routine. For example, they have their hair cut
every month and their minds keep in regular in office hours. Their habits and thoughts are ready-made. They
have no aesthetic sense to appreciate an artistic piece like a picture or painting. They have no individuality
and conform to everything allowed by the majority. In short, such people are always led and can never be
leaders.
In this context, Burgess has quoted many examples: Polonius, a well-known
character of Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”, is a Bromide. Amelia sedley, a character in Thackeray’s novel,
“Vanity Fair” is bromidic. All the predictable, common, average, conservative and boring characters in novels
and dramas or the so-called “flat” characters are the Bromides. In Literature, Marie Corelli (English
Novelist) and Dr. Jonson were Bromidic. In polities, President Roosevelt of America in 1930’s was a bromidic.
Qualities of Sulphites: -
 Chemically, Sulphite is a chemical compound of Sulpher and another element and
it signifies fire and energy. According to Burges, the Sulphites are people with their own individuality and
new ideas. They do not speak or act according to the usual says of society. Thus, they have their own thinking
and mode of actions. They always surprise others. Hence, we come across such people very rarely, suddenly and
unexpectedly. They do ordinary thinks in unusual ways or unusual things in ordinary ways. For example, a
sulphite may swim out to rescue a drowning girls but he will keep his pipe burning all the while.
In this context, Burgess quotes different examples: Hamlet, the hero of
Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet” is a Sulphite. Becky Sharp, a character in Thackeray’s novel, “Vanity Fair” is
Sulphitic. All the unpredictable, adventurous and amazing characters in novels and dramas or the so-called
“round” characters are Sulphitic. In Literature, Bernard Shaw (English Dramatist) and Lewis Carol were
Sulphitic. In politics, President William McKinley of America, the predecessor of Roosevelt, was a sulphite.
Moreover, all cranks, reformers and some of the artists are Sulphites. The insane asylums are full of
Sulphites.
Bromides–com-sulphites: -
Where giving this differentiation, the writer adds some hybrids or
Bromides-cum-Sulphitic. Who are half-bromide and half-Sulphite. According to him, some writers may also have a
contrasting personality and style in Literature. Its typical example is Dr. Johnson and Lewis Carol. Dr.
Johnson, a famous neo-classic critic, was Sulphite in personality but Bromide in writing. On the other hand,
Lewis carol, a famous English writer, was Bromide in personality but Sulphite in writing.
CONCLUSION: -
In the end we can say that the writer’s division of human race into bromides and
Sulphites is quite logical, convincing and just. It is not based on any ill-will; rather he has drawn quite a
lucid appropriate and comprehensible contrast to highlight the different facets of humanity. His examples from
History, Art and Literature are quite appealing and applicable. In short, through these examples, he has
successfully and beautifully differentiated the Bromides and Sulphites to transmit the main idea of his story.
TEXTUAL QUESTION
Q-1 . what devices does Burgess use to show the reader the difference between a Bromide and a Sulphite?
ANS: - G. Int. + Summary + Conclusion
Q-2. This essay first appeared in 1906. It seem dated in its chief contention? In the examples of bromidic
remarks? In the persons named as Bromides or Sulphites
ANS: - (Theme) + Though this essay first appeared in 1906, it does not seem old-fashioned in its chief
contention. The fact is that this division of human beings is undoubtedly universal. There have been, are and
will always be these two types of people. Even in this modern age of 21st century, we come across such people
as described in the essay. Moreover, the remarks of the writer about the bromides are also clearly universal
and not time or age bound. So, it cannot be called dated at all.
As far as the names of the person are concerned, it does seem dated; because most of
them belong to the time before 1906. In an essay, when examples are given from history, it automatically
becomes dated. But here Burgess is justified as how he could write about the modern writers. A writer either
quotes examples from the past or his present. The names of G.B. shaw and Becky Sharp were quite modern for him
and hence do not ‘date’ the essay.
To conclude, we can say that the essay does not seem dated in its chief contention and also in its Bromidic
remarks. It does, however, seem dated in the examples taken from Literature, politics and literary history.
Nevertheless, that does not mar the beauty and worth of the essay.
 University Questions
Q.1: how does the writer divide human beings into Bromides and Sulphites?
(OR)
where illustrations (example) of Bromides and Sulphites has Burgess quotes from Literature and History to
clarify the difference between the two?
(OR)
Why does the writer call people as Bromides and Sulphites?
(OR)
Burgess has categorized human beinginto two groups what are those groups? Do you agree with this division?
ANS: - (G.I + Theme (brief) + Summary + Conclusion)
Q.2: who are Bromides and how do they behave in the society?
(OR)
Which people are labeled Bromide in the essay by Burgess and way?
ANS: - Theme (brief) + Qualities of Bromides)
Q.3: who are Sulphites and how do they behave in the society?
(OR)
Which people are labeled Sulphite in the essay by Burgess and way?
ANS: - Theme (Brief) + Qualities of Sulphites

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