Essays ( Udita Ma'am )

Sir Roger At Home.

Joseph Addison’s essay Sir Roger At Home is one of his contributions to the periodical The Spectator ( 1711-1714 ) which was run by ‘Richard Steele’ and ‘Addison’ himself. This essay features Sir Roger De Coverly, an important character in ‘The Spectator Club’ presented in the essays of Steele and Addison. Sir Roger represents the typical old fashioned country gentleman of the 18th century English society. Addison writes in a conversational witty as well as graceful style. His style is an example of what  Dr. Samuel Jonson describes as the ‘middle style’. Addison presents his views on developing good sense in one’s personality. He is a classicist as he highlights the principle of balance and objectivity in all area of life.

The essay begins in the narrative form as the narrator describes his experience of being a guest at the country house of Sir Roger. The narrator is honest to the readers. He admits that he is quite shy and he appreciates that Sir Roger does not force him to talk to other villagers. The narrator praises Sir Roger and other members of the household.

“I am the more at the ease in Sir Roger’s family because it consists of sober and staid persons…The knight is the best master in the world… a mixture of the father and the master of the family…”

Sir Roger is a kind and good natured man. His servants have been with him for a long time. They genuinely love him and care for him with a tender touch the narrator points out that the Sir Roger’s kindness extends to the old house dog and the old pet horse.

Sir Roger’s character sketch becomes authentic as the narrator honesty mentions the peculiarities of Sir Roger. Sir Roger is described as a “humorist”, one who is moody and eccentric. It makes his likes, dislikes, opinions and feelings quite colourful and interesting. For example the Chaplain ( priest ) who has been in his parish for thirty years, is not a scholar in classical greek and Latin. Sir Roger without much classical learning “was afraid of being insulted with Latin and Greek at his own tale”. In place of hiring a scholar Sir Roger had made sure that the priest was a good amicable and sensible man.

The focus shifts to the characterisation of the priest. The priest is frugal in his needs. He is an expert at resolving disputes among people on the request of Sir Roger every Sunday. He presents one sermon choosing from the best English sermons. People find his preaching practically useful. In his mouth sermons become ‘a continued system of practical divinity.’ The narrator finds the priest to be very efficient in motivating people with his clear mind and good voice.

“A sermon repeated after this manner is like the composition of a poet in the mouth of a graceful action.”

Such good preachers can help people understand religion and morality in a better way.

Like the other essays of Joseph Addison this essay is an effort to uphold moral and social values in the post-restoration English society running away from puritanism. Addison promotes the significance of balance and common sense. This essay presents several examples of gentle humour. The tone is not bitter or sarcastic or didactic. Such essays of Addison contain good examples of characterisation so these essays have the seeds of the modern English novel. There are realistic observations on the contemporary society the diction is simple and conversational yet there are touches of poetic beauty. According David Daiches Addison succeeds to ‘enliven morality with wit and to temper wit with morality.’

Recollections Of Childhood

‘Sir Richard Steele’s essay’ ‘Recollections of childhood’ contemplates the effect of death and the memory of death on a persons experience of life. Based on his personal experience of witnessing the demise of loved ones in his formative years, this essay analyses various aspects of death. Steele published this essay in the periodical, ‘The Tatler’ which was run by Joseph Addison and Steele himself. Through his insightful reflections on life, death and human nature Steele much like Addison, highlights the neo-classical ideals of balance, good sense and moral integrity. He writes in a conversational yet refined style, using humour and changing the tone according to situation.

This essay opens with an interesting observation. Many people enjoy life only by sharing every experience with others but some people are happy in keeping things to themselves. Such people protect their privacy to honour the memory of their loved ones who are no longer alive in the manner of a real conversation the narrator moves from observation to personal experience. One evening, the narrator sat down alone to think of his dead companions, he still missed them but his sorrow had become less intense. The message is that the time is a great healer. With time the human mind goes away from sorrow. This allows us to go on with life. 

Looking at the other side of the situation the narrator points out that one must at times remember unhappy experiences like someones death. Human mind loves to be excited with desire and to be impatient in the face of problems. Unpleasant memories take the mind, “into that sobriety of though which poises the heart”. The mind becomes calm once it realises that life is a mixed bag of joy and sorrow. To prepare oneself for future one must sometimes think of the past. It is just like winding up and out of order clock by making its hand move across the digits.

The narrator proceeds to think about his own experience with death. His first experience of sorrow was at the age of five when his father passed away. The narrator could not exactly understand everything but by watching his mother who had “a dignity in her grief” the narrator developed a sympathetic nature since that time he began to experience pity for the sorrow of other. Commenting on the significance of childhood experience the narrator writes,

“The mind in infancy is …like the body in embryo…”

If a birthmark develops on a baby in the mothers womb it cannot be removed after the baby is born. Similarly ones mind is strongly influenced by childhood experiences. Such experiences are hard to remove even when grows up.

The narrator presents a gentle touch of irony. He inherited the qualities of pity and gentleness from his mother but these qualities do not prove prove to be practically beneficial to the world. He becomes too kind and easy to be cheated.

“…and unmanly gentleness of mind which has since ensnared me into ten thousand calamities and from where I can read no advantage…”

However, he is no sorry to be gentle and kind. His gentleness allows him to relive and feel the memories of the past.

People feel a great sense of loss on the ‘untimely and unhappy deaths’ of young men and women. For many people life is a burden yet one feels sorry when death takes away the burden of life. For example when a young soldier dies one feels that the young man could have had a long happy life, had he not been a soldier. Young soldiers have to sacrifice themselves for the political ambitions of leaders. People have great respect for the sacrifices of soldiers but when one thinks of the people who lose their loved ones or those who die young :

“…pity enters with an unmixed softness and possess all our souls at once.”

At this point, the narrator recalls the untimely death of the first girl he ever loved. He wonders why death is so cruel to the young and the innocent. He can still remember his beloved vividly. Death always comes all of a sudden. In the same week the narrator had seen his beloved dressed for a ballad in a shroud. He still cannot accept her death at such a young age. He pours his love and sorrow in a rhetorical question :

“How ill did the habit of death become the pretty trifler ?”

This part of the essay uncovers the poignant expression of emotional anguish. However, the narrator goes back to his objective and balanced tone and concludes the essay with the mention of getting together with friends.

The essay ‘Recollection of Childhood’ presents a well rounded attempt to analyse various aspects of death. Steele blends together anecdotes realistic observation and intelligent reflection. In a conversational tone, the narrator communicate with the reader. Although, the focus is on death the tone is not too sentimental. There are various example of irony, gentle humour and emotional moments. The diction is simple. The length and structure of the sentences vary according to the changing moods of the narrator. This essay is a remarkable example of drawing universal insight from personal experience.

On National Prejudice

-Oliver Goldsmith

Oliver Goldsmith’s essay, ‘On National Prejudices’ criticises jingoism ( extreme patriotism ) which makes a person to overlook the problems in his own country and consider all other countries to be inferior. This national prejudice stems out of the general human tendency to be prejudiced. This essay is based on the neoclassical ideals of reason and common sense.

The writer begins the essay of remembering an incident. He calls himself a traveller at heart. He loves to observe the people he sees. Once he met some English gentlemen who believed that the English people were perfect and people of other countries had many weaknesses. The writer could see that their opinion was not logical although such opinions were very common in 18th century England. Using irony the gentleman’s opinion is called “a learned and judicious remark”.

The gentlemen assumed that writer had the same opinion. They forced him to speak. The writer did not want to be dishonest.

“I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments.”

He pointed out that it was incorrect to say that the Englishmen were perfect because in many ways the Dutch, the French, the Germans and the Spanish were better than the English people. The gentlemen could not digest such honest. They felt that the writer was an ‘invert’ ( confirmed ) enemy of England and did not have the moral right to be an English citizen. The writer knew that the gentlemen were beyond correction. So, he went away.

The writer refers to the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates who called himself ‘a citizen of the world’. People do not think in terms of the humanity but divide themselves according to their countries. Uneducated people do not get the chance to correct their opinion by ‘reading, traveling or conversing with foreigners’. However, even the educated people are not free from prejudices and parochialism. The writer speaks out against all kind of preconception. Social status or money cannot make a person a gentleman if one is prejudiced. He claims that, “an exemption from prejudice” is the “characteristical mark of gentleman…”

The writer looks into the point of view of the jingoist. People who have no merit talk about the greatness of the country only to hide their own weaknesses. Such people are like slender vine that cannot stand alone and needs support of the strong oak tree. Although national prejudice grows out of love for the country it is an unnatural and undesirable part of patriotism. Such a bad thing should be removed so that the goodness of patriotism is not corrupted. The writer uses the analogy of religion. Superstition and communalism grow out of religion but they are unnecessary an injurious to religion. Religion is like a “a heavenly plant” of which these two things are the “ bastard sprouts”. Religion can flourish only when there is no superstition or communalism.

The writer encourages everyone to reject jingoism and uphold cosmopolitanism. He puts ahead a rhetorical question.

“Is it not very possible that I may love my own country without hating the natives of other countries ?”

The writer would rather call himself a citizen of the world than stick to a particular country. 

The essay critics narrow mindedness and upholds the neoclassical principles of reason and objectivity. Their is also a personal touch as the writer talks about his personal views on the issue of national prejudice. He uses appropriate metaphors and allusion to Socrates’ irony and humour. The diction is simple and the tone is direct and to the point. The essay has a universal appeal as the world always suffers because of international conflicts based on the illogical concept of jingoism.

Character Analysis Of  ‘A Funeral’

The essay A Funeral written E.V. Lucas is an important example of personal essay. Along with presenting with a pen picture of the scholar W.J. Craig, the essay also describes the writer’s candid thoughts on death and the resilience of life. The essay is full of good natured humour. It’s style is quite similar to the style of essays of Charles Lamb. 

The essay begins with the description of A Funeral scene in the churchyard. At the same time, a football match is going on in nearby field. The writer agrees that

“In the midst of death we are in life…”

This is an inversion of the biblical idea that in life there is death. Death and Life are inseparable. The football match need not be stopped by the funeral. 

The funeral is of the Irish Scholar W.J. Craig. He was a 63 year old man. Happy, honest, cheerful and with the ‘heart of a child’. He never tried to hide his thoughts and wisdom. People could easily share his valuable knowledge.

“…His brain was like a beehive under glass - you could match the working and the honey in it.”

Craig did not have many friends or relatives but he was helpful to everyone. He was not very methodical. He had a short temper wherever he saw somebody being disrespected. His spontaneity and generosity and chivalrous temper were the typical ‘Irish Qualities’. He was also famous for mixing excellent whisky punch.

The portrait of W.J. Craig becomes comprehensive because it includes his shortcomings and quirks. The writer mention a humorous anecdote. Craig’s handwriting was very bad. One day two recipients of his letters had ended up asking each other to help in reading those letters. His love for reading also made him a little quirky. Even on a local train when the journey was very short, he always carried to read them on the way. However he did not have any intention to criticise or ridicule others.

“He had indeed no satire in him. He spoke his mind and it was over.”

People realised that death has revealed Craig from the lonely life of a sick old bachelor. However, it is said that death brought an end to the ‘storied brain’ of Craig, which was full of lifetime of knowledge. This sense of loss appears to be ultimate victory of death. People say that the mind and the soul are immortal. Even St. Paul stated that death cannot defeat life but all this appears to be totally ironical when death takes away someone we love.

The writer observes the scene as the funeral gradually concludes with the fine sense of observation and humour, he point out that people are not supposed to put on cap or hat at a funeral. But, since it is very cold the old clergyman wears a black skullcap ‘which God in his infinite mercy either completely overlooks or seeing smiles at’. After the funeral, people go back and exchange their memories of the person who is no more.

This essay is a character sketch as well as a realistic analysis of people’s reaction to death. The writer’s shares his personal thoughts and experience with the readers. There are several allusion to the bible. The writer uses several long sentences. Although the content is philosophical to an extent. The use of gentle humour makes this essay remarkably interesting. 

Critical Analysis Of ‘The Two Races Of Men’

Charles Lamb’s essay ‘The Two Races Of Men’ is a representative example of the personal essay. This essay presents the character of ‘borrowers’ using irony, pathos and mocked heroic humour. Lamb uses personal experiences with a lot of humour to present his irritation with people to borrow money or books. Also talks about his friendship and admiration for the romantic poet Coleridge. He suggests that unlike money the treasure books must be shared with real scholars. Like many of his other essays, this essay is also narrated by Elia, a persona created by Lamb.

The title and the opening line reflects the mock heroic humour. The human species divided into the two races but these races are simply “the men who borrow and the men who lend.” The reference to the ancient tribes of Parthians and Elamites shows that borrowers have always been there and it is a destiny of the lender to serve the borrower. The borrower is always cheerful “taking no more thought than lollies”. For the borrower the property of other people is the property of humanity. So he thinks that he has the right to take money from others. Using mock heroic humour, Elia says that the borrower is above the distinction of ‘I’ and ‘You’.

The borrower can borrow money anytime, anywhere and from anyone. Life is a party for the borrower.

“Everyday in his candlemas or his feast of Holy Michael.”

The lender is always helpless. The writer refers to a story in Aesop’s fables in which the wind an the sun had a contest. A traveller was wearing a cloak. The wind blew very hard so theta the traveller would be cold and would not remove the cloak but the sun became very hot and the traveller finally took off his cloak. If the lender is like the traveler, his money is like the cloak and the borrower is as powerful as the sun takes away money from the lender.

As an example of borrower, Elia describes his friend Ralph Begod ( he was actually John Fenwick, editor of the Albion ), Ralph claimed that he belonged to royal family. He spent all his money with ‘ noble disinterestedness’ after wasting his own money. 

“He set forth like some Alexander upon his great enterprises borrowing and to borrow.”

These lines generate humour with the help of irony and anticlimax like every other borrower, Ralph was shameless. He was proud of borrowing money. Using hyperbole, Elia exclaims that Ralph seems to have taken money from at least one tenth of the total population of the England. However, Ralph was always without money. Elia fails to understands how quickly Ralph wasted the borrower’s money. Elia wonders if Ralph believed that ‘money kept longer than stinks’ or if Ralph literally threw away all his money in pond. The writer uses the reference to a story from bible. In a story Abraham left his mistress Hagar and his illegitimate son Ishmael in the jungle. Ralph also puts away all money he ever gets. It was difficult to refuse giving money to Ralph because he was very confident. He ‘anticipated’ no excuse and found none. With great irony Elia thinks that “little men” as compared to a borrower like Ralph. Elia is more threatened by friends who borrow his books. Referring to the romantic poet Coleridge as Silas Tomkyn Cumberbatch Elia remembers how he had to lend many of his books to Coleridge. Coleridge felt that a book should be used by a person who can understand the book. Going by this logic he took away books like Sir Thomas Browne’s treatise and ‘Lyin Burial’. Elia knows that Coleridge is a real scholar. Elia calls himself “a foolish lover”. To praise his mistress in the presence of arrival, more qualified to carry her of then himself.”

By borrowing books Coleridge benefits Elia in two ways. Books returned by Coleridge became more valuable as they often contain annotations and notes written by Coleridge. On the other hand, Coleridge often brings book then from other and by his mistress leaves them at Elia’s house. Elia looks after these twice deserted books just like his own books. Elia is happy to show his books with a real book lover like Coleridge. He praises Coleridge 

“I counsel thee shut not thy heart nor thy literary against ST. Coleridge.”

Through the persona of Elia, Lamb uses his own opinion and anecdotes ( personal experiences ) to bring out the personality of borrower with affection and respect for Coleridge. Lamb percents several features of Coleridge’s personality. These elements taken from the personal lives of Charles Lamb make this essay an example of the personal essay. There are various illusions to the bible and to the several real people and books. Lamb always uses good natured human through literary devices like irony, anticlimax and hyperbole. Although, he sometimes gives advice to the reader. He is never satirical or didactic. He often uses long elaborated sentences and Latin and Greek words. Yet it is never very difficult to understand and enjoy his writing. As these characteristics make Charles Lamb, the king of English Essayists.

Critical Analysis of  “On Superstition”. 

The essay ‘On Superstition’ written by A.G. Gardiner explores the universal issue of superstitions. Without being judgemental the writer examines how and why superstitions began. He points on the logic behind a few superstition but he argues that people need to stop fearing such old beliefs. He takes example from daily life as well as history. The essay reflects a balanced point of view and a gentle sense of humour.

The modern educated people know that there is no truth in superstitions. However, deep inside the mind, there still is the old fear of superstitions. If a murder takes place at a house numbered 13, people know that the number of the house has nothin to do with the murder. Still, people remember that incident only because of the ancient superstition that 13 is unlucky. The writer shows the reality of people’s reaction towards the superstition.

“We might  even refuse to admit it to ourselves but it is there.”

Sometimes there is a logic hidden behind a superstition. Many hospitals do not have a bed, numbered 13. The patient might be worried about his recovery if he gets bed number 13. The writer remembers how a wounded soldier became depressed because of a pimple on his node and his depression finally killed him. Hospitals act according to the superstition of number 13 only to present tension in patients. The writer also remembers that according to a superstition it is unlucky to walk under a ladder when the ladder has been put against a wall. He thinks that it is not superstition but practical wisdom. If someone walls under the ladder something may fall from the top of the ladder. Using humour he says that the fellow at the top of the ladder may even drape himself. He argues that. 

“No doubt many of our superstitions have these common place and sensible origins.”

The writer is often confused whether he should challenge superstitious or simply forget about superstitions. It is an ‘absurd dilemma’ but he argues that are should not fear superstitions. Superstitions are outdated. In the past people did not understand and many things about nature. So, he used to be afraid of the unknown things. This fear gave wise to superstitions. Because of this fear people began to believe on astrologers astrologers, magicians and omens. Those believes were sometimes right and sometimes wrong but ‘whether right or wrong they have equally meaningless’. In the present time science has given us knowledge about everything so, people don’t need to be afraid of superstitions. However, modern man should not be proud, he should be thankful that because of knowledge he has escaped the “gratesque shadows” of ignorance that covered the ancient world. Modern man has the light of knowledge,  he still does not know everything but now he is able to think and act logically. 

The essay ‘on superstition’ brings out the psychological motivation which makes people act on superstitious beliefs. The writer approaches the issue in an essay going conversational manner but he gives solid analysis to the various aspects of superstition. Examples are taken from ordinary life as well as classical greek and roman history. The choice of words appeals to the educated and thoughtful reader. Towards, the conclusion there is a preference to Thomas Hardy’s work ‘The Dynasts’. In can he said that with the help of gentle humour and examples of common superstitions the essays becomes remarkably appealing. 

Critical Analysis Of Walking Tours.

The essay ‘Walking Tours’ written by Robert Louis Stevenson brings out the pleasures one can get on a walking tour. This essay analyses the traveller’s thoughts at every stage of the walking tour. The essay also explains how the traveller’s body, mind and spirit benefit from the experience of walking. The personal note is prominent as the writer address the reader directly and mentions several anecdotes and allusions.

Walking is not just about admiring the landscape. Walking is a pleasure in itself. It starts with hope and energy and it brings peace and satisfaction. Walking is “more delicate in the smaller dose.” Walking should not be overdone otherwise the person becomes exhausted.

Walking should be done alone. Initially the solitude can be challenging but gradually the person begins to enjoy the walk. While walking some people observe the landscape as they want to write it. Some are happy just to watch the natural beauty. There are some people who enjoy the walk in the real sense. Like the romantic writer William Hazlitt, they expresses their happiness openly and they might end up singing or dancing on the road. Other people often find them eccentric. 

When walking is done in a relaxed manner, the mind becomes calm. The mind stops thinking about big things. It enjoys the tiny sensations. The purely animal pleasures… the delight of every inhalation” and the beauty of the moment. The writer presents a delicate image of a person taking a break on a walking tour - the person sits under the blue sky with sky with birds singing around him. The sunshine touching his feet and the cool breeze rushing against his collar. The traveller is finally out of the stress and rush of urban life and he forgets to count time by his watch.

The best part of a walking tour comes at night after dinner. Walking washes away the negative qualities like pride and narrow-mindedness . The mind becomes clean like the mind of a child or a scientist. The mind is ready to absorb the tiny delightful things. The person understands that in the days again time he has forgotten to enjoy the moment and to cherish the past one should look at life from a distance. One should not be too sentimental or attached with anything in life. Life is like a process. We can enjoy it more observers and less as participants. 

“…it is not they who carry flags but they who look upon it from a private chamber who have the fun of the procession.”

Nothing is permanent in life. The Roman Empire was as temporary as a tobacco pipe. If one realises this one can enjoy everything in life. One might wonder if such thoughts are of any use but it is true that walking brings vivid experiences to the mind and body.

This essay presents a common relatable topic in a new light. The experience of walking is broken down step by step. In a logical scholarly approach the writer blends together the experience of walking with the deeper reality of life. For e.g., He shows that urban life is a race against time and modern men do not enjoy the beauty of moment. There are several allusions such as the allusion to William Hazlitt. There are poetic touches as in the lines describing the traveler taking a break on a walking tour. Finally, the essay highlights that it is important to live without much attachment so that one can enjoy the small things in the ever changing life.

Critical Analysis Of The Essay “Of Studies”

Francis Bacon’s essay “Of Studies” is a  representative example of his essays full of epigrammatic insight into practical affairs of life. Bacon is regraded as the pioneer of the English essay. Like almost all of his other essays of studies presents his accurate observation of human behaviour as it brings out the relations of knowledge and character. His prose is concise and to the point. 

The essay opens with a concrete statement.

“Studies served far delight for ornament and for ability.”

People may read books to enjoy or to show off their knowledge during discussions but a person should study in order to increase his wisdom regarding practical affairs. In this way study should always be relate to practical life, knowledge and practical experience are mutually complimentary. Knowledge polishes one’s natural talent and experience helps to utilise knowledge in a useful way. The writer effectively uses the metaphor of plants.

“They perfect nature and are perfected by experience : for natural abilities are like natural plants that need pruning by study…”

People should read books in order to enhance their understanding and judgement. Every book is not suitable for this purpose. Same books are only to tasted. Some others are for general reading club there are same selected books that should be read again and again. Reading the summary of any book cannot give real knowledge because “distilled books are like common distilled water flashy things”.

Reading books is not enough to get the full benefit of knowledge. Reading can only give knowledge. Discussion of that knowledge increase intentions, and writing about that knowledge helps to remember it for a long time. In this way knowledge comes in a continuous process.

Different types of knowledge have different advantages. The writer quotes a latin sentence which means ‘studies influence character’. Different diseases of the body can be removed with the suitable exercises. Similarly, every weakness of the mind can be cured with the help of a particular kind of knowledge. If a man has poor concentration he should practice mathematics to improve his concentration. If a man cannot differentiate between things he should study the writings of ancient medieval philosophers who had the ability to find out difference even when differences don’t really exist. If a man cannot argue he should take lessons from the arguments of lawyers. Finally, the essay ends with a clear cut opinion of the writer.

“So every defect of the mind may have a special receipt.”

Bacon’s essay have a clear didactic touch. The writer does not have a conversational tone. His approach is like the approach of a scholar who teaches common men. The tone is formal and serious. Most of the sentences have a proverbial quality. Example and metaphors are taken from common life. There are reference to medieval philosophers. There is also a quotation from a text in Latin. This essay like other essays of Francis Bacon is remarkable as an early example of the standard English Essay.