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Unit 9: Charles Lamb-A Bachelors Complaint on the Behaviour of Married ...

essay is the Married People’s attitudes and how they demonstrate their status. He goes as far as to Notes
“the airs which these creatures give themselves when they cometo 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
attention to 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 values and 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 counter arguments. 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 appeals effectively to his readers through his use of pathos, ethos, and logos.

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 Peoplesimply 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 brings 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.

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