Dear Diary

Samuel Pepys' diary seemed to be such an important part of his life. In the information on Pepys in our text it states he eventually had to give up his writing due to eye-strain and he writes, "the sacrifice was almost as much as to see myself go into my grave." This statement made me realize Pepys equated this diary to his life.

Pepys made writing in his diary part of his daily routine and became almost obsessive with his entries. I thought Pepys used this diary to show he had something in his life that he could control since the world around him was constantly changing. While Pepys kept his diaries there was much political upheaval and the restoration of the Stuart monarchy. In our readings the Great Plague was devastating London and Pepys shared his fears and concerns in his diary.

His diary gave him a way to organize his thoughts and feelings in a way that he could be totally candid. I thought it was interesting the diary was in a shorthand that only the learned could understand so he could keep his household from reading it and learning anything too private or intimate (he wrote the "naughty bits" in French).

This diary gave me an insight into the life of a person living through the Great Plague and how it changed the way everyone lived. I found it was strange that Pepys decided to remain in London during this time even though he had the means to leave. What motivated this decision? Did he feel he could make more money if he stayed? Was he afraid of missing out on the social life he seemed so involved with?

I think it really hit him hard when he lost his friend, Jackie Cole, as he was "troubled in [his] sleep," over the loss of someone his own age and station in life. I found Pepys' diary indicated he felt there was more urgency to have his affairs in order after his friends death: "setting things in order, which I pray God enable me to put, both as to soul and body."