Witches And Other Night-Fears by Charles Lamb (Summary & Analysis)

 

Witches And Other Night-Fears

by Charles Lamb

(Summary & Analysis) 

Summary

In "Witches And Other Night-Fears," Charles Lamb reflects on the beliefs and fears surrounding witchcraft in the past. He argues against labeling our ancestors as fools for their belief in witchcraft, suggesting that their actions were rational within the framework of their understanding. In a world where the existence of supernatural forces was accepted, it was difficult to discern the likelihood or absurdity of various testimonies related to witchcraft.

Lamb recalls his own childhood curiosity about witches and witch-stories, influenced by a book in his father's collection. He vividly describes a picture of a witch raising Samuel from the Bible, which had a lasting impact on his imagination. The image instilled in him a fear of witches, and he felt their presence even in his own bedroom. Lamb criticizes the practice of leaving young children alone in the dark, as it can lead to terrifying experiences and affect their fragile nerves.

The author ponders the origins of fear and superstition, suggesting that they are deeply rooted in human nature. He questions why false stories, which we know to be untrue, still evoke fear in us. Lamb explores the spiritual nature of fear and its prevalence in infancy. He contemplates the possibility of gaining insight into our pre-existing condition and the world of spirits.

Lamb also reflects on his own dreams, noting that his childhood nightmares have subsided over time. He contrasts his lackluster dreams with the vivid and imaginative dreams of poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Barry Cornwall. He muses on the connection between dreams and creative abilities, suggesting that the richness of one's dreams may be an indication of their poetic potential.

The essay concludes with an amusing anecdote about a dream Lamb had after reading one of Barry Cornwall's poems. In the dream, he imagines himself as a god at sea nuptials but ends up safely and uneventfully landing by the Thames River. Lamb humorously reflects on the varying degrees of creativity in dreams and their relation to poetic talent.

Overall, "Witches And Other Night-Fears" is a personal reflection on the nature of fear, superstition, and imagination, drawing from Lamb's own experiences and observations.

Analysis

In "Witches And Other Night-Fears," Charles Lamb explores the human fascination with superstition, witchcraft, and the power of imagination. He begins by criticizing the tendency to label our ancestors as foolish for their belief in witchcraft, arguing that they were rational in the context of their understanding of the invisible world and the lack of guidelines to assess the credibility of testimonies related to witchcraft.

Lamb reflects on his own childhood curiosity about witches and witch-stories, which were fueled by his maid and aunt. He describes the incident that sparked his interest in the subject—a breach in a picture of the Witch raising up Samuel, which caused him to develop nighttime terrors. Lamb suggests that children are naturally prone to fears and superstitions, regardless of exposure to books or stories.

The essay delves into the nature of fear and its origins. Lamb argues that fear stems from something beyond physical harm, as even false stories can evoke a sense of terror. He contemplates the pre-existence of fears within individuals and suggests that they have an eternal quality. He also reflects on the changing nature of his dreams, from terrifying and vivid experiences to more prosaic and architectural scenes.

Lamb concludes by humorously comparing his own imaginative limitations in dreams to the rich and elaborate dreams of other poets. He suggests that the creative power in dreams might serve as an indicator of one's poetic ability in waking life, and recounts an anecdote of an old gentleman who used to inquire about the dreams of aspiring poets to gauge their potential.

Overall, "Witches And Other Night-Fears" explores the irrational aspects of human nature, the influence of imagination and storytelling, and the enduring fascination with supernatural beliefs. Lamb's personal experiences and reflections provide insights into the human psyche and the power of fear and superstition.