Samuel Pepys: Diary –The Fire of London, 1666

Background and General Information

Samuel Pepys was a civil servant in London who kept a private diary from 1660-1669. This constitutes an invaluable first-hand account of events during a pivotal period in English history.
The Fire of London, 1666 - This is one of the most famous incidents reported by Pepys. His detailed description of the catastrophic event offers a moment-by-moment account of the disaster.
Background Detail - Understand the socio-political context of London at this time. Pepys’ accounts capture the political unrest, the calamity of the plague, and the aftermath of the English Civil War.

Format - Pepys’ diary is written in the form of a chronicle, detailing his day-to-day experiences. Within each diary entry, narratives are constructed providing rich descriptive detail.
Witness Account - The Fire of London is recounted in a real-time, first-hand experience. This provides a vivid and emotional portrayal of the event.
Style of Writing - Pepys’ style combines the personal and the factual, making it a useful text for historical study as well as personal reflexion.
Themes - The entropy of the fire, Pepys’ fear for his prized possessions, and his concerns for the state of the city are major themes within this account.

Tonality and Mood - Pepys’ text is marked by a sense of urgency and fear of loss. His shock and horror at the scale of devastation comes across in his writing.
Figurative Language - Note the use of metaphor and hyperbole to enhance the details of the fire.
Narrative Voice - Pepys’ is an active participant in events, but he also employs the passive voice, representing events as happening to him and to London.

Historical Significance - Pepys’ diary acts as a record of important historical events. His accounts of The Fire of London provide factual details as well as showing the human impact of the disaster.
Cultural Importance - Pepys’ diary reflects the life and times of the 17th Century England, making it a significant piece of cultural heritage.

One can view Pepys’ diary, particularly The Fire of London entry, as a study in human observation under extreme conditions. The context frames the human emotion and psychological reactions captured in the diary.
Scholars often point to the collision of public disaster and private concerns in Pepys’ diary.
Consider other diaries and first-hand accounts of historical events for comparative analysis. Examining the role of personal narratives in understanding broader societal occurrences will provide a rich discussion point.