Breakfast by Charles Lamb (1800)
"Breakfast" by Charles Lamb is a poem that explores the idea of the importance of breakfast in one's daily routine. The speaker argues that breakfast is the most crucial meal of the day, providing energy and sustenance for the rest of the day's activities. The poem also touches on the theme of time and its passage, as the speaker reflects on how quickly the morning has passed and how little time remains before noon. Overall, "Breakfast" is a short but thought-provoking poem that highlights the significance of this meal in our daily lives.
By Charles Lamb · First published 1800 · Genre: Essays, Biographies & Memoirs, Literary Fiction · 306 words
First lines
A dinner party, coffee, tea, Sandwich, or supper, all may be In their way pleasant. But to me Not one of these deserves the praise That welcomer of new-born days, A breakfast, merits; ever giving Cheerful notice we are living Another day refresh'd by sleep, When its festival we keep.
Now, although I would not slight Those kindly words we use, "Good-night," Yet parting words are words of sorrow, And may not vie with sweet "Good-morrow," With which again our friends we greet When in the breakfast-room we meet, At the social table round, Listening to the lively sound Of those notes which never tire Of urn or kettle on the fire.
What this Textopian page supports
Breakfast is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Lamb, dated 1800 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Charles Lamb
- Date: 1800 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Essays, Biographies & Memoirs, Literary Fiction, Nonfiction, Historical Writing
- Length: 306 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Breakfast by Charles Lamb
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Breakfast?
- How does this poem by Charles Lamb fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Essays first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Essays — Charles Lamb was a known essayist and this work consists of his personal reflections and observations, typical of the essay genre.
- Biographies & Memoirs — Through his essays, Lamb often shares personal stories and insights into his life, which are characteristics of the Biographies & Memoirs genre.
- Literary Fiction — Lamb's high level of language use, and his focus on introspective and contemplative themes align with the Literary Fiction genre.
- Nonfiction — Given that it comprises of essays and realistic narratives from the author's life, the work fits into the Nonfiction genre.
Tags
essay · literature · food · breakfast · nostalgia · humor · personal · reflection · English · 19th century · prose · cultural commentary