The Peach by Charles Lamb (1807)
A mother shares a single peach among her seven children, resulting in very small portions for each. Despite the minimal size of their shares, the children find that the limited quantity enhances the fruit's flavor. The mother, observing their joy, sheds tears, prompting the children to inquire about her emotions. She explains that her tears stem from joy rather than sadness, reflecting on the challenges faced by mothers who often have to provide meager meals for their hungry children. The peach serves as a poignant symbol of love and sacrifice, highlighting the bittersweet nature of parental care. The narrative captures the essence of familial bonds, the joy found in shared experiences, and the deeper reflections on motherhood and the struggles of providing for a large family. The simple act of sharing a fruit becomes a moment of connection and introspection, illustrating how even small pleasures can evoke profound emotions and memories. The piece ultimately emphasizes the themes of love, sacrifice, and the bittersweet nature of life, as the mother finds joy in her children's happiness despite the hardships they face.
By Charles Lamb · First published 1807 · Genre: Fiction, Drama, Romanticism · 199 words
First lines
Mamma gave us a single peach, / She shared it among seven; / Now you may think that unto each / But a small piece was given.
Yet though each share was very small, / We own'd, when it was eaten, / Being so little for us all / Did its fine flavour heighten.
The tear was in our parent's eye, / It seem'd quite out of season; / When we ask'd wherefore she did cry, / She thus explain'd the reason: --
"The cause, my children, I may say, / Was joy, and not dejection; / The peach, which made you all so gay, / Gave rise to this reflection:
What this Textopian page supports
The Peach is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Lamb, dated 1807 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: 1807 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Drama, Romanticism, Children's literature, Essays
- Length: 199 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Peach 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
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Genres
- Fiction — Based on Charles Lamb's writing, it's likely to classify 'THE PEACH' under Fiction as his work often involves creating imaginary events and characters.
- Drama — Lamb's writing often emphasizes dramatic, emotional, and tragic experiences which could potentially be reflected in 'THE PEACH'.
- Romanticism — Known as a prominent figure of the Romantic movement, Charles Lamb's work often entails elements of the movement including emotion, individualism, and reverence for the natural world.
- Children's literature — Lamb has written several popular children stories and if 'THE PEACH' features similar style and themes, it could be suited for younger readers.
Tags
fruit · nature · childhood · nostalgia · innocence · growth · seasons · family · memory · simplicity · beauty · life cycle