The Sea Voyage by Charles Lamb
The Sea Voyage by Charles Lamb is a poem that explores the themes of travel, nature, and introspection. The speaker of the poem embarks on a sea voyage, describing the sights and sounds of the ocean and the emotions that arise from being at sea. Throughout the poem, Lamb uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the idea that the journey is both physically and emotionally challenging. The speaker reflects on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life, ultimately concluding that the journey itself is the destination.
By Charles Lamb · First published 1811 · Genre: Adventure, Maritime, Travel Literature · 2,535 words
First lines
I was born in the East Indies. I lost my father and mother young. At the age of five my relations thought it proper that I should be sent to England for my education. I was to be entrusted to the care of a young woman who had a character for great humanity and discretion; but just as I had taken leave of my friends, and we were about to take our passage, the young woman suddenly fell sick, and could not go on board. In this unpleasant emergency, no one knew how to act. The ship was at the very point of sailing, and it was the last which was to sail for the season. At length the captain, who was known to my friends, prevailed upon my relation who had come with us to see us embark to leave the young woman on shore, and to let me embark separately. There was no possibility of getting any other female attendant for me in the short time allotted for our preparation, and the opportunity of going by that ship was thought too valuable to be lost.
What this Textopian page supports
The Sea Voyage is listed on Textopian as a short story by Charles Lamb, dated 1811 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Charles Lamb
- Date: 1811 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Maritime, Travel Literature, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,535 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Sea Voyage 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 The Sea Voyage?
- How does this short story by Charles Lamb fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- My Islands by Grant Allen
- The Story Of The Rippling Train by Mary Louisa Molesworth
- The Edge Of The World by Gelett Burgess
- Island Nights Entertainments by Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Uncharted Sea by Gelett Burgess
Genres
- Adventure — The title 'The Sea Voyage' indicates a journey or an adventure, often a common theme in adventure literature.
- Maritime — The title suggests a journey or expedition by sea, which is often found in maritime literature.
- Travel Literature — The book's title implies a voyage or journey, a central element in travel literature.
- Historical Fiction — Depending on the setting and time period, the book could potentially fall under the genre of historical fiction.
Tags
adventure · ocean · exploration · journey · maritime · friendship · discovery · imagination · narrative · fantasy · seafaring · travel