‘Sir Richard Steele’s
essay’ ‘Recollections of childhood’ contemplates the effect of death and the
memory of death on a persons experience of life. Based on his personal experience
of witnessing the demise of loved ones in his formative years, this essay
analyses various aspects of death. Steele published this essay in the
periodical, ‘The Tatler’ which was run by Joseph Addison and Steele himself.
Through his insightful reflections on life, death and human nature Steele much
like Addison, highlights the neo-classical ideals of balance, good sense and
moral integrity. He writes in a conversational yet refined style, using humour
and changing the tone according to situation.
This essay opens with an
interesting observation. Many people enjoy life only by sharing every
experience with others but some people are happy in keeping things to
themselves. Such people protect their privacy to honour the memory of their
loved ones who are no longer alive in the manner of a real conversation the
narrator moves from observation to personal experience. One evening, the
narrator sat down alone to think of his dead companions, he still missed them
but his sorrow had become less intense. The message is that the time is a great
healer. With time the human mind goes away from sorrow. This allows us to go on
with life.
