Charles Lamb’s intense essays give an insight into a highly sensitive soul
One night when the raindrops glistened on the leaves of trees, the clasped moon released from the dark shadow of the clouds poured soothing silver rays on the earth. Wrapped in repose, the whole scene seemed silent, and enchanted. Lamb was drowsy and wished to go to bed.
A scream shattered the night’s harmony. He rushed and caught a glimpse of knife glinting in his sister’s hand, in the throes of a fit of insanity. He hurried towards Mary Lamb, his sister. But before that she had wounded his father and stabbed their mother to death. This unpleasant incident continued to haunt his soul. Sacrificing his life, he resolved to take care of his sister. He never got married. The heart-breaking event determined Charles Lamb’s entire life. A man who for his sentiments is regarded a prince amongst English essayists.
During his long walks, under the shadow of trees in the dim light his gloomy shadow in the evening dusk seemed mysterious. He pondered over various ideas, while enjoying London’s beauty. His grim face reflected his inner self, beneath the definite lines of his face his pensive mood could be discerned stemming from a certain sense of disappointment, a quiet detachment from his surroundings. His severe eyes reflected his isolation. Yet on conquering his fit of melancholy he returned to his vibrant romantic self which is evident in his writings.
Charles Lamb lived from 1775-1834 in the old atmosphere of the Temple. His poverty- stricken father , John Lamb, had seven children, and was Samuel Salt’s, a bencher of the inner temple personal servant. Charles Lamb was admitted to Christ Hospital, a charity school, where his life long friendship with Coleridge began.
Lamb was a clerk at the India House. Tragic incidents in his family, and disappointment in love forced his restless soul to write about himself. The self-expression gave him more confidence. He is the central figure in his essays. This extreme egotism stems from his sensitive nature. Absorbing the impressions of the world he viewed them through his own views.
In the days of his isolated early child hood he developed the habit of talking to himself, in his monologues an intense expression of his inner feelings can be felt. Mary was an intelligent girl but her madness continued to affect their lives. They collaborated on several books for children. In 1807 they published their famous tales from Shakespeare. Lamb wrote a few plays, which remained insignificant but his dramatic essays; specimen of English dramatic poets, determined his reputation as a critic. His literary career started in 1820 when Hazlitt introduced him to the editor of the London Magazine. He wrote essays on Elia, which gained fabulous fame. In the seventeenth century much work was being done in the field of essays. Sir Thomas Brown, Abraham Crowley, Halifax, Sir William Temple are notable essayists of that time. Montaigne was probably the first essayist who proclaimed, “I myself am the subject of my book.” These essayists paved the way for the next generation of writers.
The eighteenth-century introduced certain changes in ideas, inserting a complete freedom of imagination, with the individuality of the artist couched in a confidential tone. It was an age of discovery of the human mind and soul. The essay began to flourish in this period. J.B. Priestly defines the essay as “a genuine expression of original personality-an artful and enduring kind of talk” Dr Johnson defines “the essay is a loose sally of mind, an irregular, indigested piece; not a regular and orderly composition.” There are different interpretations in this regard but those essays were appreciated more that reflected the author’s personality. Periodical essays were introduced in this period. Richard Steel, an Irishman wrote periodical essays under the title of Tatler in 1709. He was accompanied by Joseph Addison and their combined work appeared as Spectator achieving renown for their informal manner, delightful humour mingled with charm of personality. Further, Pope, Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, and Dr Samuel Johnson too wrote various essays.
A spirit of free imagination is revealed in the works of romantic essayists like Leigh Hunt, Hazlitt, De Quincy, and Charles Lamb. The French writer Montaigne employed a variety of expressions, from self-revelation, humour to patience. He was known as one of the fathers of the essay. His essays emerged from his keen sense of observation, and an self-analytical approach, aided by his vast experience. Through logic and reason he convinces his readers. Francis Bacon’s essays, on the other hand were more objective, suggestive, philosophical with an acute sense of observation. But Bacon lacked Charles Lamb’s personal touch. Lamb was appreciated for his subjectivity. He could establish intimacy amongst his readers with his frank, friendly and convincing approach. He shared with the readers his personality reflected in his essays. His cohesive, subtle organization, his self-revealing style and humour, imagination and pathos enlisted him as one of the great masters of the English essayists. A good conversationalist he drew people to him. Most of the major literary figure were his friends. He with his sister arranged a gathering every Wednesday night with Coleridge, Wordsworth and others.
The autobiographical aspect is one of the most interesting traits of his essays. From it we can draw a vivid picture of his life, from the time of his birth in the inner temple to his life at Christ’s Hospital, and his happy times spent with his grand mother. The essays reveal his perceptive, superstitious, and imaginary childhood. At Christ Hospital he conveys his melancholy, “ O the cruelty of separating a poor lad from his early homestead! The yearning, which I used to have towards it in those unfledged years! How, in my dreams, would my native town [far in the west] come back, with its church, and trees, and faces! How I would wake weeping, and in the anguish of my heart exclaim upon sweet clane in Wiltshire!” His past like different segments is scattered through the pages of his essays. He loved the grandeur of the past, the magnificent buildings, steeped with the memories of its dead dwellers, and antiquity. He wrote: “Or what half Januses are we, that cannot look forward with the same idolatry with which we forever revert! The mighty future is as nothing, being every thing! The past is ever thing, being nothing!”
He loved his treasure-trove of memories from his happy childhood. That innocent bowers, overflowing joys, sweet kinship, moments of leisure spent in the spacious old garden. He loved the past more from an awareness of fleeting time, time that deceives like a lovers false perceptions; which vanishes everything as with the touch of a magic wand. He was life’s keen observer with a sharp aesthetic sense; always eager to absorb, merge and diffuse the beauty around him. Once he wrote: “I had more pleasure in strolling about among the old melancholy-looking yew trees, or the firs, and picking up the red berries, and the fir apples, which were good for nothing but to look at, or in lying about upon the fresh grass with all the fine garden smells around me, or basking in the orangery, till I could almost fancy myself ripening too long with the oranges and the limes in that grateful warmth.” His inquiring nature forced him to dive deep into the roaring waters of life, bestowed him with a strong vision to elaborate on diverse things in a unique and mystifying manner. He details his family members, revealing his affection for his sister and a passion for his professional life.
Lamb suffered great mental stress after a love affair with Ann Simmons failed. He was treated in a mental institution in Hoxton for a nervous breakdown. Although Lamb never did marry, his essays reflect a great tenderness for children as well as women. In a Dream children; A Reverie he blends reality with fiction, introducing himself as a widower living with two children, John and Alice. He tells them stories of his past, about his grand mother, Mrs Field, his brother John Lamb, and of his happy child hood. Lamb’s life was isolated, though his nights and days were filled with hovering shadows and phantoms. Although he had a soft corner for women and children fate had bachelorhood in store for him. In Dream Children he consoles himself with the happiness of a conjugal life. He enjoys a peaceful, cheerful existence till his wife’s death, Alice W [supposed to be his lover Ann]. His home echoes with the innocent voices of his children. But soon reality strikes a harsh blow when his children reveal their father’s real name; Bartrum. Even in real life his lover married a Bartrum. Despite the calamities and intense suffering Lamb’s mood is light, touching flecked with tiny rays of humour. He lacks self-pity and is able to convert his sense of deprivation into literary nuggets. Creation flows from the fountain of grief. He illuminates his anguished soul with refreshing ideas. Not overwhelmed by sadness, solitude and seclusion, he seeks refuge with nature which always uplifts with its variety of moods; and its ability to flourish. He enjoys noisy streets, the company of energetic friends, jokes, merriment and a lively atmosphere.
In 1825 he retired from service — the end of tiresome hard work. He became more isolated after Coleridge’s death. Yet there was much more to discover in life from feelings and observation. Although he was more enlightened, wiser and articulate he was not as enthusiastic. The light from his eyes paled, his lips became hard, and his cheeks turned pale. In 1834 Lamb received a serious injury which was to lead him to his eternal destination.
Charles Lamb’s intense essays give an insight into a highly sensitive soul 
