A Biographical Sketch of Charles Lamb
Charles Lamb, born on 10th February 1775, was the seventh and youngest child of John Lamb and Elizabeth Field. Of his brothers and sisters, only John and Mary survived childhood. Lamb was the son of a poor clerk and as his parents could not afford his education, he was sent to Christ’s Hospital, a school for poor children. It was here that he met and became friends with S. T. Coleridge. For seven years, Lamb remained at Christ’s Hospital. He left school in November, 1789, partly because his infirmity of speech made it impossible for him ever to hope to take orders, as was expected from boys sent on from the school to the University, and partly because the poverty of his family rendered it necessary that he should begin to earn his own living as soon as it was possible. For a short time, he was employed in the South Sea House, a London based trading company. After some time, he obtained a clerkship in the Accounts Office of the East India Company.
Living in London, he naturally kept up his friendships from Christ hospital. His chief intimate was James White. But the object of his greatest admiration was Coleridge, to whose influence we must ascribe his earliest attempts at verse. In one of his visits during his holidays, he fell in love with a young lady whom he calls Alice Winterton in his essays though in his poems, he refers to her as Anna. Some critics say that it was Ann Simmons, who married subsequently a pawnbroker named Bartram, residing in Prince’s Street. It is probably to Ann Simmons that Lamb refers in a letter to Coleridge. He says- “My head ran on you in my madness, as much almost as, on another person, who was the more immediate cause of my frenzy.” Lamb had spent six weeks in a madhouse at Hoxton, but we have no information as to whether his madness was the cause or the result of the breaking off of his courtship or was it something else.
Shortly after his recovery from madness, Lamb made his first appearance in print, four sonnets being introduced by Coleridge, in a volume entitled Poems On Various Subject. Lamb’s father had now fallen into a stage of dotage; his mother was a confirmed invalid and his brother John Lamb was in comfortable circumstances and living apart from them. In 1796, Lamb’s sister Mary too had a severe attack of insanity and in that state, she killed her own mother. He had no recurrence of his first attack but his sister’s life was poisoned by the constant dread and frequent attacks of madness. Mary Lamb was confined for sometime in a madhouse and Lamb’s only consolation was the society of his faithful friends.
On his father's death in 1797, Charles Lamb decided to devote the rest of his life to the care of his sister. After sometime, Charles Lamb devoted himself to the study the Elizabethan dramatists who had much effect upon his style, and through his works, upon later English writers and scholars. Lamb’s friend Coleridge also encouraged him in developing his career as a writer. After sometime, he was introduced to Hazlitt. Lamb frequently refers to Hazlitt in his writings but does not always agree with Hazlitt on literary points. In 1820 Lamb began to write for the London Magazine under the name, Elia.
Some of his well-known works are: Essays of Elia (1823 and 1835); Tales From Shakespeare (1807); The Old Familiar Faces; Rosamund Gray (1798); John Woodwill (1802) Charles Lamb died at the age of fifty-nine and was buried in All Saints’ Churchyard, London.
Prose Style of Charles Lamb
It is said of Lamb’s style that it was not entirely his own. In the introduction we saw that Lamb did not receive university education, as he did not have the means for it. But as he had deep love for literature, he read voraciously and soaked himself in it. He was especially interested in the prose writings of the seventeenth century literature. Burton, Browne and Fuller were some of his favourite writers; hence their influence is visible in the writings of Lamb. However, it would be unfair to say that Lamb imitated their style. On a careful reading of his essays, one will notice that they have their own characteristics, which often reflected his own idiosyncrasies.
Some of the major characteristics of Lamb’s essays are as follows:
Familiar Style: Charles Lamb wrote familiar essays. A familiar essay is a short prose composition that focuses on a single subject. It is a loosely constructed essay that uses conversational language to communicate a writer’s thoughts in a manner that will interest or entertain the reader. Since familiar essays frequently include details from the author’s own life they are sometimes referred to as “personal” essays. As Lamb’s essays reflect his whimsicality, idiosyncrasies, and life and are written in a conversational tone, they fall under this category.
Autobiographical element: Lamb’s essays are characterised by self-revelation and have a personal note. His life, to quite an extent, is revealed through his essays. In “Christ’s Hospital”, we learn about his early years. We are introduced to his family in “The Old Benchers of the Inner Temple” and “Poor Relations”. In “The South-Sea House” we get a glimpse of Lamb’s official life. “Dream Children”, “Mackery End in Hertfordshire” and “Mrs Battle’s Opinions on Whist” present an account of his youthful experiences. Essays like “Imperfect Sympathies” and “A Bachelor’s Complaint of the Behaviour of Married Prose and Short Fiction acquaint us with his prejudices. Walter Pater rightly observes, “In each and every essay, we feel the vein of his subjectivity.”
Humour and Pathos: Another important feature of Lamb’s essays is his harmonious blending of humour and pathos. As you have already seen earlier that Lamb’s life was a tragic one but instead of complaining, he looked at life as a humourist. It is rightly noted by Compton Rickett, Humour with Lamb is never far from tragedy; through his tears you may see the rainbow in the sky; for him humour and pathos are really inseparable from one another, they are different facets of the same gem; or to change the simile, one may say that Lamb’s moods, whether grave or gay, are equally the natural effervescence of an exquisitely mobile imagination; whether you call it humour or pathos, depends entirely upon where the light may strike the bubbles. It is said of Lamb that he gives humorous touches only in order to provide his readers with pleasure and “to save him from weeping.”
In his essays, he laughs through his tears. He can laugh at his own self and lets others, especially the low-bred, poke fun at him too. An example of this can be seen in his essay, “The Praise of Chimney-Sweepers” in which he says that “he can endure the jocularity of a young sweep with something more than forgiveness.” In the words of Anthony Burgess, “ He is the father of that kind of humour which derives its effects from self-mockery – the author has no ear for music, he slips on an icy sheet, his clothes need mending, the urchins laugh at him, he has no success with women, he makes a fool of himself in society and so on.”
Many of his essays like “Dream Children”, “The Praise of Chimney-Sweepers” and “Poor Relations” are remarkable for the blend of humour and pathos. Love for the archaic: Lamb says that he wrote “for antiquity.” Hence, his essays are rather old fashioned. He revived many obsolete words, words that were found only in the works of Elizabethans. Words like agnise, arride, reluct, indivertible, recognitory find a place in Lamb’s essays. The beauty of Lamb lies in the fact that although he makes use of obsolete words, he gives them a new freshness. He uses them with dexterity, which gives his essays a quaint look.
Nostalgia: Lamb lived mostly in the world of memories. He is often transported back in time. In essays like “My Relations”, “Dream Children: A Reverie” and “The South Sea House”, Lamb skillfully presents scenes from the past, giving the readers a slice of his life. Writers of the past also find an echo in his works. His works are reminiscent of the works of older writers like Sir Thomas Browne and Thomas Fuller, but Lamb’s forte lies in his ability to transform everything he touches. Compton Rickett remarks, The blossoms are culled from other men’s gardens but their blending is all Lamb’s own. Passing through Lamb’s imagination, they become something fresh and individual.
A blend of fact and fiction: In the essays of Lamb, one can see an excellent blending of fact and fiction. Though most of his essays have references to his personal life, it is difficult to say when Lamb switches from the real to the imaginary world. For instance, in his essay, “Dream Children” what he says of his brother John’s health is a fact but the impression he gives of his children, Alice and John, is a result of his mingling of fact with fiction.
Lamb’s style is characterized by variety. It changes according to moods and sentiments. Fancy, didacticism, loftiness, all can be found in his writings. Hugh Walker says, There are essayists like Bacon, of more massive greatness, and others like Sir Thomas Browne, who can attain loftier heights of eloquence, but there is no other than Lamb who has the power to charm. In Lamb’s essays we see a beautiful blending of facts and fiction, humour and pathos. His innermost feelings, which were never allowed to blossom fully, find a subtle yet charming expression in his works and for this reason he is rightly called “the Prince of English Essayists.”
Oxford in the Vacation
Oxford in the Vacation is one of Charles Lamb's essays written under the pseudonym Elia. This essay reflects Lamb's characteristic blend of humor, nostalgia, and introspection. Lamb begins by humorously addressing the reader's curiosity about the identity of "Elia." This playful self-reflection is a recurring element in Lamb's works, establishing a connection with the reader.
Identity of Elia:
Lamb humorously denies the reader’s assumptions about his background. He imagines the reader seeing him as a scrivener or a desk-bound worker, leading a monotonous life. He acknowledges this assumption but counters it with a celebration of the mix of the literary and non-literary in his life. He reveals how his involvement with everyday clerical work feeds into his creative writing. This blending of work and creativity reflects Lamb’s ability to find inspiration in mundane, everyday life.
Reflection on Clerical Work:
Lamb elaborates on his clerical duties, especially working with ledgers and accounts, but views this work as a relief from the pressures of intellectual life. He sees it as a contrast to literary pursuits, helping him appreciate the freedom that comes with writing after spending hours on monotonous tasks. The essay highlights Lamb's ability to find humour in ordinary tasks, showing the whimsical way he viewed his job in the East India House.
Nostalgia for Red-Letter Days:
Lamb regrets the decline of holy days or "red-letter days" which were once celebrated with reverence and joy, especially during his school years at Christ’s Hospital. He fondly recalls saints' days from his youth, describing how these breaks provided moments of relief from the structured routine of school and work. This passage highlights Lamb’s sense of loss over the passing of traditional observances and the growing secularism of his time.
Love for Academic Life:
Lamb expresses his admiration for academic institutions, particularly Oxford, despite never having attended one. He romanticizes the life of a student, enjoying Oxford’s intellectual and cultural environment. During the university's vacation, Lamb finds peace in the absence of students and faculty, allowing him to wander freely and imagine himself as part of the scholarly life. He relishes the solitude and freedom, playing different academic roles in his mind—sometimes as a humble sizar, sometimes as a lofty Gentleman Commoner, and even as a Master of Arts.
Antiquity and Libraries:
Lamb is fascinated by the concept of antiquity, specifically the charm of Oxford’s old libraries and their repositories of ancient texts. He contemplates the allure of libraries, where the manuscripts and old books carry the spirit of the scholars who wrote them. For Lamb, the library becomes a space filled with history, a sanctuary for the soul of learning. Lamb’s awe for these places transcends mere curiosity about the books; it is a reverence for the past and the minds that have contributed to the world of learning.
Humorous Anecdotes:
The essay includes anecdotes about Lamb’s friend, George Dyer (referred to as "D."), whose absent-mindedness and dedication to academic research provide comic relief. Dyer, an eccentric figure, is portrayed as so absorbed in his studies that he becomes oblivious to his surroundings. This humorous depiction contrasts with Lamb’s own reflections on the balance between life and intellectual pursuits. Lamb narrates Dyer’s comical mishaps, such as visiting a friend’s house twice in one day without realizing it, which adds a light-hearted tone to the essay.
Style and Tone:
Lamb’s tone in Oxford in the Vacation is light, humorous, and conversational. He employs self-deprecating humour and engages the reader directly, making the essay feel personal. His writing oscillates between nostalgic reflection, comic anecdotes, and philosophical musings, which create a unique blend of sincerity and wit. Lamb's rich use of imagery, especially when describing Oxford, gives the essay a vivid sense of place. His descriptions of libraries, halls, and sculleries evoke an almost reverential attitude toward history and tradition.
Literary Devices:
First-Person Narrative:
The essay is presented in a first-person narrative, allowing Lamb to infuse his personal experiences, thoughts, and humour into the text.
Irony and Humor:
Lamb employs irony in his self-portrayal, as he mocks both his own clerical life and the scholarly pursuits of others. His anecdotes, especially about George Dyer, highlight his use of humor to explore serious themes like the value of learning.
Nostalgia:
A key element in the essay is nostalgia. Lamb looks back fondly at the past, both in terms of his personal experiences (saint’s days, school) and the larger academic tradition (Oxford, libraries).
Imagery:
Vivid imagery is used throughout the essay to describe Oxford’s libraries, halls, and surroundings. This helps the reader imagine the ancient, scholarly environment that Lamb finds so appealing.
Oxford in the Vacation is a contemplative yet humorous essay where Lamb reflects on his experiences and observations. He seamlessly weaves together his personal reflections on clerical work, the academic life he never had, and the romantic charm of Oxford. Lamb’s essay serves as a celebration of intellectual freedom, the joy of solitude, and the beauty of the past, all while maintaining a playful and light-hearted tone. This essay offers readers an intimate glimpse into Lamb’s thoughts, as well as his ability to find delight in the small, often overlooked details of life.
No comments:
Post a Comment