Charles Lamb

Charles Lamb (1775-1834) was an English essayist, poet, and writer, best known for his humorous and insightful
essays that explore the human experience.

Introduction

Charles Lamb was born on February 10, 1775, in London. He was the youngest of seven children, and his family lived
in a small house in the Inner Temple. Lamb’s childhood was marked by poverty and hardship, but he found solace in
reading and writing.

Early life

Charles Lamb attended Christ’s Hospital, a charity school in London, where he studied until 1789 and developed a
love for literature and poetry. He was particularly influenced by the works of William Shakespeare and John Milton.
After leaving school, Lamb worked as a clerk in the East India Company, a position he held for over 30 years remaining
there untill retirement in 1825.

Charles Lamb as an Essay writer

Charles Lamb is considered one of the greatest essayists in English literature. His essays are still widely read and
studied today, and his writing style has influenced many other writers and essayists. Lamb’s essays are characterized
by their humor, wit, and insight into human nature, making him a beloved and enduring figure in English literature.

In literary prose, Lamb’s essays are notable for their:

*Informal, conversational tone * Use of anecdotes and personal experiences * Critique of social and economic
conditions * Humor and wit * Insight into human

Some of his most famous essays include: ( “Dream Children”) (“Christ’s Hospital Five and Thirty Years Ago”)

He was an English essayst and critic best known for his essays of Elia (1823-1833). He was basically a poet but also
familiar as a Prose writer. He was known as the prince of English essayst. His essays expresses human nature,
sweetness of heart, humor and the entirely of man’s lived experiences. He preferred to convey unexpected notions
of imaginations rather then present thoughts in a logical manner.

He belonged to a Romantic period. He was as Romantic in his writing as William Wordsworth and S.t Coleridge. In
1796, Lamb’s sister Marry in a fit of madness killed their mother. Lamb reacted with courage and loyalty, taking on
himself the burden of looking after Marry. They have been studying together. You will find some flow of subjective
writing because his essays are his own revelations.

In 18th century, people focused on city life . Most of other writers are universally famous for poetry such as William
Wordsworth . The essays are very personal as he expresses himself but the philosophy menage he conveyed is deep
. Lamb was not actively involved in social or political activism, but his writing often reflected his concerns about social
justice and human rights.

William Wordsworth is a father of natural beauty. As a romantic poet, he is also a lover of nature . He preferred to
show greenery because of which most of his essays became long with description of beauty. In 1807, Lamb and his
sister published tales from Shakespeare that was a retelling of the plays for children .

Nostalgia
Like a nature poet , he is subjective . He has a theme (Nostalgia) love of the past. Personal tragedies were also in his
life . His sister faced mental issues when they were young and during that time their mother was killed. Charles
thought that Marry killed their mother and this feeling caused discomfort to his whole life . He was also not very rich
man so became nostalgic. His essays reflect true feeling of nostalgia. Charles also lost past as William
Wordsworth.Charles Lamb’s nostalgia is a recurring theme in his essays, reflecting his fondness for the past.

He often reminisces about his childhood, family, and friends, evoking a sense of warmth and comfort.Lamb’s
nostalgia is not just a sentimental longing but a way to cope with the present.He finds solace in memories of the
past, which he believes were simpler and more innocent times.His nostalgia is also tinged with a sense of loss and
melancholy, acknowledging that the past cannot be recaptured.Lamb’s essays often blur the lines between reality
and fantasy, as he recreates the past in his imagination.His nostalgia is deeply personal, yet universally relatable,
making his essays enduringly popular. Through his nostalgia, Lamb explores the human experience, revealing the
complexities of memory and emotion.

Recognition

Lamb’s writing was widely recognized and admired during his lifetime. He was friends with many prominent writers
and intellectuals, including William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and William Hazlitt.

Contributions

Overall, Charles Lamb’s contributions to literature are significant, and his essays continue to be widely read and
admired today. His writing style, ideas, and insights into human nature have made him a beloved and enduring figure
in English literature.