Question

Write a note on lamb's prose StYLe?

Answer 1

Charles Lamb occupies a unique place in the history of the English prose by virtue of his unique style. Though critics have more or less been unanimous in labeling Lamb’s style as ‘imitative’ of the Elizabethan prose writer like Browne, Burton, Fuller, it is not his imitativeness that strikes the modern readers, but his ability to stamp upon the old Elizabethan style with his mark of personality that lends a pleasing quietness to his style with versatility and insight, with humour and spontaneity. Read More Essay No doubt, there are many points in which Lamb imitates the Elizabethan writer – for example, in his use of words in the obsolete or Elizabethan senses, his fondness for alliteration, his use of compound words, his formation of adjectives from the proper names, his frequent use of Latinism. However, he is unique by the virtue of his telling stories bearing his personality as forever sweet memories, the quality as one of “Elia's” distinctive hallmarks, along with his fondness for the obscure and other idiosyncrasies.

For instance, when Lamb calls in Old China an Old China cup ‘Speciosa Miraculta’ we get a taste of his Latinism. His fondness for alliteration is evident in such sentences as “When Dorimant -------------- assists the apple woman” or in his reference to Susan Winstanley overhearing Joseph Paice – “In rather rough language rating a young woman --------” or in his reference to a ‘flowery mid’ painted on the “other side of the China cup existing on the “other side of the same strange stream” which a woman was crossing in her little fairy boat. Lamb’s use of words in the obsolete or Elizabethan senses is evident in his use of word “obsequiousness” in the Elizabethan sense of “respectful devotion” while today the word means a show of servility. Read More Essay The early 17th century prose writers are noted for the profuse use of metaphors. Such metaphoric style of language is also evident in Modern Gallantry. One such example would suffice: “The roses that had long laded thence still bloomed for him in those withered yellow cheeks”.