old china essay by charles lamb pdf

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Charles Lamb uses the text of this play to describe the trials of poverty and wealth. Both states are uniquely important in building one’s experience and character.

He is with his cousin Bridget who has endured a life of poverty and deprivation with him. But now they are rich and can afford all that they could not before.

Lamb points out his love for Chinaware and the artistic expressions painted on them. Whenever he entered a new home he would be fascinated by its chinaware. He admires the level of details in the art.

There are the same men and women who seem to be involved in different settings but on the same cup or bowl. There are nature and all its bounties like vegetation, water, mountains etc.

Every penny had to be accounted for and every item bought was an achievement. However, now the only worth of any item was attached to its price tag. Now, the money spent was the only sense of accomplishment.

She wants to go back to a state where things mattered more and had greater satisfaction attached to them. She remembers the tattered clothes that they had to keep wearing in order to save money for books and plays. Now, they can buy any book and still adorn the most expensive of clothes.

They were the true patrons of such art and it helped the cousins learn so much more than they would have done for the balcony. They were even astonished by the sense of regard and respect the common people had especially for ladies. This seems to be unfounded in the glamour of the rich classes.

Bridget points at the lack of accounting that they do with their finances now that they are rich. In poverty, the end of the year was a struggle to balance the finances and ledgers. It brought a greater sense of responsibility as well as expectation form the upcoming year.

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Charles Lamb as an essayist

Charles Lamb, born in 1775, is a distinguished English essayist whose life and work left an indelible mark on the literary landscape of the 18th century. Amidst personal challenges such as familial responsibilities and intermittent struggles with mental health, Lamb found a creative outlet in collaboration with his sister, Mary Lamb. Together, they produced a collection of essays that showcased Lamb’s unique blend of wit, humor, and profound insights into human nature. Lamb’s essays, notably compiled in “Essays of Elia,” reflect a personal touch, weaving autobiography seamlessly with literary criticism and social commentary. His writing style is characterized by a warmth and intimacy that draws readers into his reflections on everyday life. As an essayist, Lamb’s contributions transcend his era, capturing the complexities of the human experience with eloquence and enduring relevance.

Table of Contents

Essays of Elia

Charles Lamb’s collection “Essays of Elia,” which was published in the early 1800s, is regarded as a literary masterpiece that perfectly captures the spirit of Lamb’s unique essayistic approach. Published under the pseudonym Elia, the collection provides a varied and detailed examination of Lamb’s social observations, literary criticism, and personal views. The essays in this collection, which range from lighthearted tales to deep reflections, give readers a multifaceted and frequently funny viewpoint on the complexity of human existence.

Read More: Romanticism in English Literature

A few of the essays in “Essays of Elia” have received special recognition for their literary value. Notable examples are “A Dissertation upon Roast Pig,” a charming and sarcastic investigation of culinary indulgence, and “Dream-Children: A Reverie,” where Lamb expertly combines fiction and meditation on the truths of life. Lamb’s ability to combine a charming sense of humor with deep intellectual insight is evident in these and other essays, which have left a lasting impression on the literary world and solidified his reputation as one of the greatest essayists of all time.

Use of humor and wit

One thing that unites Charles Lamb’s essays is his grasp of wit and comedy. This sets his works apart in the field of English literature. One of Lamb’s best examples of humor is in his essay “A Dissertation upon Roast Pig.” In this essay, Lamb investigates the Chinese guy Bo-bo’s inadvertent discovery of roasted meat in a hilarious way. Along with engaging readers with a subtle sarcastic remark on human indulgence, Lamb’s humorous narrative and the strangeness of the circumstance produce a hilarious effect.

Lamb’s essay “Mrs. Battle’s Opinions on Whist” is another excellent illustration of his wit. In this essay, he humanizes the game of whist by giving the cards human traits and viewpoints. In addition to being witty, Lamb’s deft use of satire offers a funny reflection on the societal conventions surrounding card games in his day. The essay turns into a lighthearted investigation of how we prefer to give inanimate objects meaning and personality.

Personal and autobiographical elements

Essays by Charles Lamb are distinguished by an overabundance of autobiographical and personal details, which give his work a cohesive and approachable feel. An important illustration of this is the essay “Dream-Children: A Reverie.” In order to explore the issue of unmet familial bonds, Lamb imagines a fictional family and muses on his own childless state. As Lamb struggles with his own circumstances, the autobiographical touch is evident and adds an emotional mix of longing and nostalgia to this narrative. Lamb crafts a thorough examination of the intricacies of family and human connection by incorporating his personal experiences into the essay’s narrative.

Read More: Romantic Age in English Literature

Lamb’s personal touch can also be seen in “Old China.” He recalls his bonding with an antique set of china dishes in this essay. Lamb expresses his emotive attachment to inanimate objects through this seemingly unimportant topic, giving readers a peek into his distinct outlook on life. This essay’s autobiographical components highlight Lamb’s gift for seeing the meaningful in the everyday.

Reflection on everyday life and human experiences

Charles Lamb’s essays demonstrate his astute ability to analyze the broader context of daily existence and draw lessons from seemingly ordinary events. In the essay “The Praise of Chimney-Sweepers,” Lamb raises a mundane occupation—that of the chimney sweeper—to the level of a metaphor for childhood’s innate innocence and purity. He provides a moving remark on social perceptions of labor and the strength of the human spirit. An other example of Lamb’s contemplation on ordinary existence can be found in “New Year’s Eve.” Here, reflecting on the change from one year to the next, he thinks on the passage of time and the cyclical nature of human existence. Lamb’s findings are universally resonant because of his introspective examination of the temporal flow, which captures the essence of shared human experiences.

Use of allusion and symbolism

A master of literary style, Charles Lamb uses a range of techniques to enhance his writings and leave a lasting impression on the readers. In “Dream-Children: A Reverie,” he emphasizes the concept of unachievable familial pleasure by referencing biblical and classical themes, such as the weddings of cousins Adam and Eve. The subtle anchors provided by these allusions encourage readers to explore wider cultural and philosophical settings, which enriches Lamb’s narrative. His works are also full of symbolism. For example, in “Old China,” the ancient china dishes have a symbolic meaning that relates to the enduring connections he discovers in inanimate items. 

Exploration of Lamb’s use of irony and satire

Lamb’s essays are further characterized by a clever use of satire and irony that lends a degree of complexity and critique to his reflections. In “A Dissertation upon Roast Pig,” Lamb uses satire to ironically examine social conventions related to food preparation, parodying human nature and excesses through accidental discovery of roasted pig. His use of irony is particularly evident in “The Praise of Chimney-Sweepers,” in which he satirically extols the merits of chimney sweepers to draw attention to the social inequities these unrecognized laborers endure. By using these techniques, Lamb shows that he has a deep understanding of the ability of satire and irony to reveal more profound truths while also drawing readers into a thought-provoking investigation of human behavior and cultural standards.

Examination of his prose style and language choice

Furthermore, a close reading of Lamb’s language choice and prose style reveals a unique and compelling narrative voice. The conversational tone of Lamb’s writing entices readers into an intimate and personal interaction. His use of words demonstrates a wide vocabulary and a deft touch between eloquence and simplicity, resulting in a literary texture that appeals to readers of all ages. Lamb’s ability to seamlessly blend literary devices with a captivating prose style contributes to the enduring appeal of his essays as both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant works of literature.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Charles Lamb emerges as a distinguished essayist whose influence echoes down the halls of literary history. His essays, which stand out for their singular fusion of wit, humor, and deep reflection, have left a lasting impression on the annals of literature. Lamb’s examination of both the common and extraordinary, along with his astute observations of human nature, established his position as a key figure in the development of the essay as a literary form. 

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Charles Lamb: Essays

By charles lamb, charles lamb: essays essay questions, what role does fiction play in charles lamb's essays.

This is a prime opportunity to discuss how Lamb stretches the confines of a form of writing typically considered to be non-fiction. You will want to explore the farthest extreme, such as his fabrication of characters in "The South-Sea House" and of his fanciful "Rejoicings Upon the New Year's Coming of Age," delving into the way that Lamb serves the subject of those essays through fictional writing. Note, also, how Lamb lightly fictionalizes real life in other places, be it choosing pseudonyms for himself and his sister, or using the dream in "Dream-Children; A Reverie" to reflect on his actual lived experience as a lifelong bachelor. Consider, finally, that Lamb's fictionalizing serves the essay's purpose, but sometimes it serves the essay so well that the essay is barely a work of non-fiction.

Describe the role of family in Charles Lamb's writing.

Cousin Bridget is a fixture of the Elia essays, and she is a substitute for Charles' own real-life sister, Mary. In the case of "Old China," a conversation with Cousin Bridget sparks a long meditation on the difference between the lives of the privileged and the poor. Lamb always found inspiration in those close to him, and it is possible to consider Cousin Bridget as one of his muses. She is seemingly ever-present, even sitting next to him at the end of "Dream-Children; A Reverie." You would be supported to say that Lamb was often inspired by his family, given his description of Field in "Dream-Children," but you should also note the fact that the turbulence of his actual family life never really reveals itself in his essays, with little mention of Mary's intense mental illness or his brother John's estrangement.

What is the relationship between memory and nostalgia in Charles Lamb's essays?

Reflection is central to many of Lamb's essays, which is a key reason why he is aligned with the Romantic movement. The Romantics took the time to stop and smell the roses, so to speak, reflecting on the details that comprise life. And while Lamb certainly reflects on present concerns (often targeting hypocrisy in religion), most of Lamb's reflection is pointed to the past. In this essay, choose one or two of Lamb's essays such as "Old China" or "Ellistoniana" and explore how they employ memory and when they veer into nostalgia. You will likely want to explain Lamb's particular brand of nostalgia, which doesn't have him pining for lost times, but reveling in the memory of people and times that are gone from his life forever; he doesn't quite wish they could come back, but does take great pleasure in reflecting on their existence.

How does Charles Lamb's writing style reflect the wider Romantic movement?

Similar to what you may address in the essay on memory and nostalgia, one of the hallmarks of Romanticism was an fixation with the past, be that Walter Scott's Ivanhoe which depicted medieval England or James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans , which mourns the death of the vanishing of the Native American in the United States. Like other Romantics, Lamb used the past as a reliable source of subject matter, but somewhat unique amongst the Romantics, he mainly focused on his own past. Another key attribute of Romantic literature is its lyrical style, and Lamb's own lyricism may well be his most relevant contribution to the essay form. By striking a conversational tone and letting himself veer into evocative, purple prose, Lamb created essays that were at once personable and eloquent. You can explore his novel sentence construction, with its multitude of run-ons, as well as his lurid word choice.

Discuss Charles Lamb's views on society, and what we can learn about his own ethics from those views.

One of the tropes of Lamb's writing is his distrust of organized religion. As we learn in "Grace Before Meat," he has clear religious convictions of his own, but takes issue with insincere expressions of devotion which are coded into social life. To Lamb, a person insincerely saying grace is an affront to the spirit of the act, which is supposed to express true gratitude for the opportunity to eat. He also laments in "Dream-Children; A Reverie" that he wasn't good and religious like his grandmother Field. She is depicted as a woman who acted that way sincerely, while Lamb himself never could. Sincerity is perhaps key here, as the nobility that Lamb discusses is several essays is not simply a reflection of a man's social class, but of a person's sincerity in how they live their lives. Examples of true nobility in Lamb's work include the chimney sweepers, Elia and Bridget taking a picnic when they had to borrow a cloth, and a man saying grace before a plate of mutton and turnips. Consider how when Lamb takes issue with social classes and empty ritual, he is revealing himself as a man who values sincere expression of fine character.

Charles Lamb: Essays Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Charles Lamb: Essays is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Which quality Charles Lamb a romantic writer?

As a Romantic, Lamb brought a key innovation to the somewhat new form, inserting his own personally to give the essays a conversational tone. His essays showcase his passions and anxieties, imbuing the non-fiction form with a personal and literary...

What is the major theme of "Poor Relation" by Charles Lamb?

The major theme is that of the "poor relation"... their irrelevance and unpleasant place in one's life.

Explain the theme of the essay ''A Dissertation upon Roast Pig''.

The essay describes the discovery of the exquisite flavour of roast pig in China in a time when all food was eaten raw. This is really a light hearted theme speaking to how odd it is that humans eat cooked animals at all.

Study Guide for Charles Lamb: Essays

Charles Lamb: Essays study guide contains a biography of Charles Lamb, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Charles Lamb: Essays
• Charles Lamb: Essays Summary
• Character List

Essays for Charles Lamb: Essays

Charles Lamb: Essays essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Charles Lamb: Essays by Charles Lamb.

• Charles Lamb and Spaces Separate from Rationality

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Set in type by J. Jones of the Secondary Technical School of Book Production. Initial letter cut in wood from a drawing by M. C. Prince. Typography & production J. J. Andron.

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