DREAM CHILDREN: A REVERIE BY “CHARLES LAMP”
“Dream Children: A Reverie” is a heartfelt essay by the renowned English essayist Charles Lamb. This piece is
part of his celebrated collection, Essays of Elia, published in London magazines in 1823. Through this collection,
Lamb intricately weaves together characters and events from his own life, including vivid portrayals of his
grandmother Field, his brother John Lamb, his sister Mary Lamb, and his ill-fated romantic entanglements with
Ann Simmons. Lamb masterfully blurs the lines between reality and fiction, transforming true experiences into
literary art. This essay stands out as an exemplar of emotional depth, deftly combining humor, sadness, and
nostalgia. By employing the framework of a dream, Lamb unveils his deepest emotions and aspirations,
juxtaposing the realms of reality and fantasy. Written as a reverie, the essay features an imagined dialogue with his
two fictional children, allowing Lamb to explore and express his inner world. Charles Lamb (10 February 1775–27
December 1834) was an influential English essayist and poet, celebrated for his Essays of Elia and the children’s
book Tales from Shakespeare, which he co-wrote with his sister, Mary Lamb (1764–1847). He was a pivotal figure
in the literary community, maintaining close friendships with notable writers such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge,
Robert Southey, William Wordsworth, and William Hazlitt. At the heart of England’s literary scene, Lamb’s work
was deeply intertwined with the Romantic movement, a period characterized by an emphasis on emotion and
individualism. His writing is distinguished by its personal and introspective nature, often reflecting the profound
losses and tragedies he experienced in his life. Lamb’s ability to blend humor with pathos has earned him
recognition as one of the finest English essayists. His contributions to literature are significant, cementing his
status as one of the foremost literary figures of his era. His essays not only offer a glimpse into his own life but also
capture the essence of the human condition, making them timeless pieces that continue to resonate with readers.
The background of “Dream Children: A Reverie” lies in Lamb’s own life experiences. He had a close relationship
with his brother John, who suffered from mental illness and died young. Lamb himself suffered from depression
and was forced to give up his own aspirations in order to support his family. 1. Imagination: Lamb illustrates
how imagination can bring both happiness and fulfillment, as well as pain and disappointment when it conflicts
with reality or fades away. 2. Beauty of Childhood: He depicts childhood as a period of innocence, wonder, joy,
and growth. Lamb contrasts his own childhood with that of his dream children, who lack their mother and uncle,
and reflects on how childhood experiences shape personality and character. 3.Memory, Love, and Loss of
Love: These themes are intertwined as Lamb reminisces about his past, the love he experienced, and the sorrow of
lost love.
SUMMARY : Lamb imagines two children in his essay. The first child, Alice, is depicted as a seven-
year-old with a sweet and serious nature. She is portrayed as being very close to her father, showing a
keen interest in his childhood stories. Lamb describes her as “the favorite of my imaginary beings,”
DREAM CHILDREN: A REVERIE BY “CHARLES LAMP”
symbolizing lost innocence and a yearning for familial closeness. The second child, John, is ten years
old, lively, and mischievous compared to his sister. He enjoys hearing about his father’s travels and
adventures and is noted for his sense of humor. John is also sensitive and emotional, particularly
touched by his father’s childhood tales. Alice and John ask Lamb about their great-grandmother, Mrs.
Field, who lived in a grand house belonging to a wealthy nobleman. Mrs. Field, the housekeeper, cared
for it meticulously, as if it were her own. The children were fascinated by the house, haunted by two
infant spirits, and the story of “The Children in The Wood.” A foolish rich man later replaced the
wooden chimney with a marble one, much to Alice’s displeasure, as she shared her mother’s stern
expression. Mrs. Field was deeply religious, unafraid of the spirits, and slept alone in the house, unlike
Lamb, who slept with his maid due to his lack of religious conviction. Mrs. Field was once tall and
upright but was later bowed by cancer. Her funeral was well-attended by neighbors. She had also been
a good dancer in her youth, a trait Alice seemed to inherit. After Mrs. Field’s death, the house fell into
decay, and the nobleman moved its ornaments to his new house, where they looked out of place. John
found this amusing, agreeing that they indeed looked awkward. The old house’s garden had fruits like
nectarines, peaches, and oranges, which Lamb enjoyed looking at but never plucked. John, however,
picked a bunch of grapes to share with Alice. Mrs. Field had a special fondness for her grandson John
(Lamb’s uncle), who loved outdoor activities and often carried the lame-footed James Elia (Lamb) on
his back. When John became lame, James could not reciprocate, which he regretted deeply. John’s
death left James profoundly saddened. The children, distressed by the story’s sad turn, asked about
their deceased mother instead. Lamb recounted how he courted their mother, Alice, for seven years,
experiencing both hope and despair. He explained the nuances of coyness, difficulty, and denial in an
unmarried woman. As Lamb looked at Alice, she resembled her mother. The children began to fade
away, distancing themselves until they were almost invisible. They seemed to say from afar that they
were not real children but merely what might have been. When Lamb awoke, he found himself alone in
his armchair, realizing he had been dreaming. The dream children vanished, leaving only Charles Lamb
in his place. “Dream Children: A Reverie” is a poignant and imaginative essay that delves
into the depths of the human condition, touching on themes such as love lost, cherished memories, and
the boundless power of imagination. Lamb skillfully blurs the lines between reality and fantasy,
creating a world that is both genuine and dreamlike. Through his imaginary children, he explores the
joys and sorrows of his life, finding a way to come to terms with the tragedies that have profoundly
shaped his existence. This masterful blend of creativity and emotional reflection makes the essay a
timeless exploration of the human heart.
