Chapter published in:
Style, Rhetoric and Creativity in Language: In memory of Walter (Bill) Nash (1926-2015)
Edited by Paul Simpson
[Linguistic Approaches to Literature 34] 2019
► pp. 11–36

Chapter 1
“Warmth of thought” in Walter Nash’s prose and verse

| Nottingham University
| Nottingham University
This chapter explores the means through which Walter Nash engages readers of his prose and verse, centring on the concept of “warmth of thought”, which derives from Quintilian. Discussion of the poetry stresses the significance of the word “heart”, especially in personal and religious contexts – and in translation of Horace as representative of the secular tradition. It shows how the resources of verse are adapted by Nash as a poet, at once confessional and broadly empathetic, and how he explores the uses and resources of prose, in a whole range of genres, as seen in his publications beginning with Designs in Prose. Throughout, “warmth of thought” is a dominant characteristic as he enlightens, encourages and entertains both readers and prospective writers.
Keywords: calor cogitationis , confessional, Quintilian, religious texts, rhetoric, secular writing, warmth (of thought)
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The poetry
  • 3.The prose
  • 4. Calor cogitationis in action
  • References
Published online: 28 November 2019
https://doi.org/10.1075/lal.34.03coc
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Cited by

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Statham, Simon
2020. The year’s work in stylistics 2019. Language and Literature: International Journal of Stylistics 29:4 ► pp. 454 ff. Crossref logo

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