Cleanliness by Charles Lamb (1810)
The work explores the theme of cleanliness, emphasizing its moral and aesthetic significance. It begins with a dialogue directed at a child, highlighting the importance of maintaining clean hands. The speaker reflects on the beauty and functionality of the human hand, contrasting it with the unappealing image of dirtiness. The text argues that while some dirt is inevitable from work or play, deliberately allowing filth to accumulate signifies a lack of self-respect and moral decay. Cleanliness is portrayed as a virtue closely linked to health and beauty, suggesting that it is an essential duty that is both easy and inexpensive to uphold. The speaker advocates for the practice of cleanliness as a reflection of one's character and a fundamental aspect of human dignity. The work ultimately positions cleanliness not just as a physical state but as a moral imperative, reinforcing the idea that maintaining personal hygiene is integral to one's virtue and societal standing.
By Charles Lamb · First published 1810 · Genre: Poetry, Essay, Philosophical · 313 words
First lines
Come, my little Robert, near -- / Fie! what filthy hands are here! / Who, that e'er could understand / The rare structure of a hand, / With its branching fingers fine, / Work itself of hands divine, / Strong, yet delicately knit, / For ten thousand uses fit, / Overlaid with so clear skin / You may see the blood within, -- / Who this hand would choose to cover / With a crust of dirt all over, / Till it look'd in hue and shape / Like the forefoot of an ape! / Man or boy that works or plays / In the fields or the highways, / May, without offence or hurt, / From the soil contract a dirt / Which the next clear spring or river / Washes out and out for ever --
What this Textopian page supports
Cleanliness is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Lamb, dated 1810 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: 1810 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Essay, Philosophical, Didactic, Satire
- Length: 313 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cleanliness by Charles Lamb
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Essay — The text presents a reflective exploration of cleanliness, typical of essayistic writing.
- Philosophical — The themes delve into moral and ethical considerations regarding cleanliness and self-respect.
- Didactic — The work aims to instruct readers on the importance of cleanliness as a virtue.
Tags
hygiene · sanitation · morality · philosophy · essays · literature · personal hygiene · social commentary · cleanliness · culture · health · self-discipline