In which of the following essays did Charles Lamb first use the pseudonym/persona, Elia?

Correct option is D

Explanation:

Charles Lamb first used the pseudonym Elia in his essay "The South-Sea House," which was published in 1820.

The character of Elia became a distinctive persona for Lamb, under which he published many of his best-known essays.

Elia was a reflection of Lamb's own personality, but the name allowed him to express a more whimsical, reflective, and often humorous character in his writings.

Information Booster:

Charles Lamb (1775–1834) was an English essayist, poet, and critic, best known for his essays and works on the stage.

He is often associated with the early Romantic period, and his writing combined a personal and conversational style. His essays were noted for their wit, humor, and autobiographical elements.

Elia was the pseudonym Lamb used in his famous collection of essays, published under the title Elia in 1823.

These essays were mostly written for the magazine The London Magazine. The persona of Elia allowed Lamb to discuss his own thoughts, emotions, and memories but through a lens that blended fiction and reality, giving his writings a more universal appeal.

Lamb’s essays under the name of Elia reflect his reflective and personal outlook on life, mixing nostalgia with humor and wit.

"The South-Sea House":

In this essay, Lamb reflects on his time working at the South Sea Company in London. The essay is filled with nostalgia as Lamb describes the building and its atmosphere, the old employees, and the fleeting passage of time.

It is a rich mix of personal memory, social commentary, and humor. This essay is a perfect example of how Lamb used the pseudonym Elia to present personal, autobiographical content in an engaging, entertaining, and reflective manner.

Additional Knowledge:

"My First Play" is one of Lamb's well-known essays, he does not use the pseudonym Elia in this essay. "My First Play" discusses Lamb's experience with the stage, specifically his first encounter with theatrical plays.

"The Two Races of Men" is a work by Lamb, it is not the first essay where he uses the persona of Elia. This essay was written in 1822 and discusses Lamb’s observations about the two types of people: those who live for pleasure and those who live for work.

"New Year’s Eve" is another notable essay by Lamb, where he reflects on the passage of time, but it is not the essay where Lamb first uses the pseudonym Elia. "New Year's Eve" focuses on Lamb's nostalgia and thoughts on the ending of one year and the beginning of another.