As we know that Charles Lamb was a bachelor
and worked at The South Sea House and India House, he had experiences some
bitter and humorous experiences from there. These experiences sometimes seem
humorous and sometimes seem pathetic. In the essay “A Bachelors Complaint”, he
tells about some of the bitter experiences and expresses his agony for the
behavior of the married people whom he thinks pretend lovers. Here he says,
" What oftenest offends of at the houses of married persons where I visit,
is an error of quite a description:- it is that they are too loving". He
thinks that the married people generally show that they “too loving" and
they show these things to the unmarried people "so shamelessly". This
type of behavior of the married people is painful to him
A Bachelor's Complaint of the Behavior of Married People
Charles Lamb's essay "A Bachelor's Complaint of the Behavior of Married People" is just what the title suggests: it is indeed "a bachelor's complaint of the behavior of Married People." Lamb emphasizes his single status in the start of the essay “As a single man"and in doing so, separates himself from the "Married People." He talks about Married People as if they are despicable and offensive and gives both hypothetical and personal examples to back up his points. He believes that Married People "prefer one another to all the world" and openly flaunt it, thus offending singles such as Lamb by implying that they "are not the object of this preference." Furthermore, Lamb believes that overall, singles are looked down onMarried People are undoubtedly more favored and knowledgeable. The main complaint that Lamb is making throughout the whole essay is the Married People's attitudes and how they demonstrate their status. He goes as far as to "the airs which these creatures give themselves when they come to have children “and, by using the negative aspects of children, he furthers his disapproval of Married People and their actions.
Lamb's purpose in writing "A Bachelor's Complaint of the Behavior of Married People" is to bring to attention the attitudes of Married People. He wishes for his audience to realize how Married People subconsciously flaunt themselves in their love, offending those who are single. Ultimately, he hopes that Married People will bring themselves to correct their mistakes and be more considerate towards others. He structures his argument by stating his main reason for decrying Married People is because he believes them to be overly involved with each other and their love that they disregard and "perk it up in the faces of [singles] so shamelessly." From this claim, Lamb offers personal anecdotes as well as hypothetical situations that illustrate and support his points. He concludes his essay stating that although he despises their attitudes, he is still willing to "forgive their jealousy and dispense with toying with their brats"but thinks it "unreasonable to be called upon to love them." Through Lamb's willingness to forgive these people whom he disapproves of, he is seen to be credible with good valuesand his readers are more inclined to believe his words and work to correct the attitudes of Married People.
The structure of Lamb's argument logically appeals to his readers, for it flows and clarifies his points through examples. However, Lamb fails to address any possible counterarguments. His argument addresses only the negative aspects of Married People, but surely there are positive sides as well. By failing to address and disprove these possibilities, Lamb leaves room for doubt. Despite this, his argument stands strong the examples he gives are cogent and, through his personal anecdotes, he is able to establish a connection with the audience. He also appeals emotionally especially to the singles, for he is a bachelor himself. The injustice that he sometimes feels can appeal to others who have felt the same way. Overall, Lamb appeals effectively to his readers through his use of pathos, ethos, and logos. Although there are some flaws in his arguments, they are overlooked and undermined by his credibility and emotional appeal.
Lamb's style of writing in this essay is fairly colloquial. He is very assertive in his argument, and states his points with conviction and support. These assertions are highlighted by his occasional use of italics throughout the essay. At the beginning of the essay, Lamb firmly establishes a line between him and Married Peoples imply by capitalizing "Married People." In doing so, he sets them apart in their own group of Married People, symbolizing that this is truly how it is in reality too: Married People set themselves apart in their own groups through their attitudes. They really do seem to be off in their own little world of love, and this is what Lamb dislikes. Towards the end of the essay, Lamb brings up the subject of children and how they also contribute to the Married People's attitudes. He brings out all the negative aspects of children and emphasizes them by listing them continuously with dashes as separation. He also bring in a simile from "the excellent office in [the] Prayer-book” “Like as arrows in the hand of the giant, even so are the young children “and uses it in his favor. He takes this idea of arrows and extends it into a metaphor to support his argument. Like "double-headed" arrows with "two forks, to be sure to hit with one or the other", how one acts with children will always be wrong; "with one or other of these forks the arrow is sure to hit you." Whether you act stoic to a child's attention or shower them with affection, "some pretext or other is sure to be found for sending them out of the room." Through this comparison of double-headed arrows and children, Lamb effectively conveys his opinions of Married People and their attitudes that are shown in everything, including the way they handle their children.
Personally, I do not agree with Lamb for the most part. Although I can see why he views married people in this way, I don't think that they should be decried in this manner. Sure, it may seem like those who are married are flaunting their love to others, but I don't think that they do it to offend others. Lamb makes it sound like married people intentionally target singles and taunt them for not having a significant other like themselves. But think of it in the married people's perspective how can they possibly suppress the love that they are feeling? Love is a very strong feeling, and it is impossible to suppress. I'm sure that if Lamb got married and was finally allowed to show his love unconditionally, he would act like the "Married People" he discussed in his essay. He merely looks at the negative aspects of marriage from the perspective of an outsider but what about the positives aspects from the perspective of a married person? Furthermore, his discussion of the children, to me, was not very convincing. His views of children would most likely change after having some children of his own. To conclude, I don't agree with Lamb's views and arguments because he is a biased source. I think that he should get married and have children first, before making these kinds of assertions.
Overall, "A Bachelor's Complaint of the Behavior of Married People" is effectively portrayed through Lamb's arguments and claims. His complaints are easy to understand, thanks to the examples that he gives. He makes many good points about Married People, and most likely is able to persuade many readers of his views. Although I personally am more skeptical of his views, it is because I am also biased. I think of love as one of the most important and potent feelings, but not everybody thinks of love as strongly as I do. Despite my views, I still think that Lamb's points are overall strong and assertive. I feel that the connection he makes with his readers is also very effective, and I believe his argument will continue to affect people of today, as marriage is a large part of society
A Bachelor's Complaint of the Behavior of Married People
Charles Lamb's essay "A Bachelor's Complaint of the Behavior of Married People" is just what the title suggests: it is indeed "a bachelor's complaint of the behavior of Married People." Lamb emphasizes his single status in the start of the essay “As a single man"and in doing so, separates himself from the "Married People." He talks about Married People as if they are despicable and offensive and gives both hypothetical and personal examples to back up his points. He believes that Married People "prefer one another to all the world" and openly flaunt it, thus offending singles such as Lamb by implying that they "are not the object of this preference." Furthermore, Lamb believes that overall, singles are looked down onMarried People are undoubtedly more favored and knowledgeable. The main complaint that Lamb is making throughout the whole essay is the Married People's attitudes and how they demonstrate their status. He goes as far as to "the airs which these creatures give themselves when they come to have children “and, by using the negative aspects of children, he furthers his disapproval of Married People and their actions.
Lamb's purpose in writing "A Bachelor's Complaint of the Behavior of Married People" is to bring to attention the attitudes of Married People. He wishes for his audience to realize how Married People subconsciously flaunt themselves in their love, offending those who are single. Ultimately, he hopes that Married People will bring themselves to correct their mistakes and be more considerate towards others. He structures his argument by stating his main reason for decrying Married People is because he believes them to be overly involved with each other and their love that they disregard and "perk it up in the faces of [singles] so shamelessly." From this claim, Lamb offers personal anecdotes as well as hypothetical situations that illustrate and support his points. He concludes his essay stating that although he despises their attitudes, he is still willing to "forgive their jealousy and dispense with toying with their brats"but thinks it "unreasonable to be called upon to love them." Through Lamb's willingness to forgive these people whom he disapproves of, he is seen to be credible with good valuesand his readers are more inclined to believe his words and work to correct the attitudes of Married People.
The structure of Lamb's argument logically appeals to his readers, for it flows and clarifies his points through examples. However, Lamb fails to address any possible counterarguments. His argument addresses only the negative aspects of Married People, but surely there are positive sides as well. By failing to address and disprove these possibilities, Lamb leaves room for doubt. Despite this, his argument stands strong the examples he gives are cogent and, through his personal anecdotes, he is able to establish a connection with the audience. He also appeals emotionally especially to the singles, for he is a bachelor himself. The injustice that he sometimes feels can appeal to others who have felt the same way. Overall, Lamb appeals effectively to his readers through his use of pathos, ethos, and logos. Although there are some flaws in his arguments, they are overlooked and undermined by his credibility and emotional appeal.
Lamb's style of writing in this essay is fairly colloquial. He is very assertive in his argument, and states his points with conviction and support. These assertions are highlighted by his occasional use of italics throughout the essay. At the beginning of the essay, Lamb firmly establishes a line between him and Married Peoples imply by capitalizing "Married People." In doing so, he sets them apart in their own group of Married People, symbolizing that this is truly how it is in reality too: Married People set themselves apart in their own groups through their attitudes. They really do seem to be off in their own little world of love, and this is what Lamb dislikes. Towards the end of the essay, Lamb brings up the subject of children and how they also contribute to the Married People's attitudes. He brings out all the negative aspects of children and emphasizes them by listing them continuously with dashes as separation. He also bring in a simile from "the excellent office in [the] Prayer-book” “Like as arrows in the hand of the giant, even so are the young children “and uses it in his favor. He takes this idea of arrows and extends it into a metaphor to support his argument. Like "double-headed" arrows with "two forks, to be sure to hit with one or the other", how one acts with children will always be wrong; "with one or other of these forks the arrow is sure to hit you." Whether you act stoic to a child's attention or shower them with affection, "some pretext or other is sure to be found for sending them out of the room." Through this comparison of double-headed arrows and children, Lamb effectively conveys his opinions of Married People and their attitudes that are shown in everything, including the way they handle their children.
Personally, I do not agree with Lamb for the most part. Although I can see why he views married people in this way, I don't think that they should be decried in this manner. Sure, it may seem like those who are married are flaunting their love to others, but I don't think that they do it to offend others. Lamb makes it sound like married people intentionally target singles and taunt them for not having a significant other like themselves. But think of it in the married people's perspective how can they possibly suppress the love that they are feeling? Love is a very strong feeling, and it is impossible to suppress. I'm sure that if Lamb got married and was finally allowed to show his love unconditionally, he would act like the "Married People" he discussed in his essay. He merely looks at the negative aspects of marriage from the perspective of an outsider but what about the positives aspects from the perspective of a married person? Furthermore, his discussion of the children, to me, was not very convincing. His views of children would most likely change after having some children of his own. To conclude, I don't agree with Lamb's views and arguments because he is a biased source. I think that he should get married and have children first, before making these kinds of assertions.
Overall, "A Bachelor's Complaint of the Behavior of Married People" is effectively portrayed through Lamb's arguments and claims. His complaints are easy to understand, thanks to the examples that he gives. He makes many good points about Married People, and most likely is able to persuade many readers of his views. Although I personally am more skeptical of his views, it is because I am also biased. I think of love as one of the most important and potent feelings, but not everybody thinks of love as strongly as I do. Despite my views, I still think that Lamb's points are overall strong and assertive. I feel that the connection he makes with his readers is also very effective, and I believe his argument will continue to affect people of today, as marriage is a large part of society
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