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Prose

Notes

Lamb firmly establishes a line between him and Married People simply by
capitalizing “Married People.”

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 outsiderbut 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.
Self Assessment
1. Choose the correct options:
(i) Lamb’s purpose in writing “A Bachelor’s Complaint of the Behaviour of Married People”
is to bring the attention to the
(a) Life of married people (b) Profession of married people
(c) Attitude of married people (d) None of these
(ii) Lamb uses in his essays
(a) Pathos (b) Ethos
(c) Dogos (d) All of these
9.2 Summary

• Charles Lamb was an English essayist, best known for his Essays of Elia and for the children’s
book Tales from Shakespeare, which he produced with his sister, Mary Lamb. Lamb has
been referred to by E.V. Lucas, his principal biographer, as the most lovable figure in English
literature. Lamb was honoured by The Latymer School, a grammar school in Edmonton, a
suburb of London where he lived for a time; it has six houses, one of which, “Lamb”, is
named after Charles.
• 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

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