Sir Roger at Home by Joseph Addison: 4 Semester Alternative English Prepared by Dr. S.Nath, Dept. of English

Sir Roger at Home
By Joseph Addison
4th Semester Alternative English
Prepared by Dr. S.Nath,
Dept. of English
1
The Periodical Essay
 The periodical essay was a new literary form
that emerged during the early part of the 18th
century.
 These essays appeared in affordable
publications that came out regularly, usually

two or three times a week.
 They did not consist of medley of
information and news, but comprised of a

single essay usually on specific theme.
2
The Tatlar and The Spectator
 The Tatlar and The Spectator were the most
popular and influential periodicals of the time
 The Tatlar was started by Richard Steele in
April 1709 appearing three times a week until

January 1711
 Two months after The Tatlar ceased
publication, Addison and Steele launched the

brilliant periodical The Spectator which
continued till December, 1712.
3
Sir Roger at Home
 The essay ‘Sir Roger at Home’ is taken from
the periodical The Spectator
 Addison created an imaginary club called
Spectator Club whose members extolled the

authors’ own ideas about society
 These members included representatives of
commerce, the army, the town and the county

gentry
4
Character of Sir Roger de Coverley
 Sir Roger is the most popular and lovable
character of the club created by Addison.
 He was a baronet of Worcestershire and was
meant to represent a typical landed gentry

 On account of his cheerful nature and kind
disposition, he was loved by all.

 He was a humourist and his virtues and
imperfections were tinged with a certain

extravagance which made him more
agreeable.
5
Summary of the essay
Introduction( 1st paragraph)
 The author begins by remarking that since he
had often been invited to spend a month or
two with Sir Roger in his country house, he
decided to accompany him the previous week
to Worcestershire.
 Sir Roger had been a perfect host and gave
the author privacy and freedom to spend his

time the way he wanted
6
Sir Roger’s family
(2nd paragraph)
 The author describes Sir Roger’s family . Sir
Roger never married and considered his
domestic helpers as family members. Sir Roger
is described as ‘the best master in the world’ as
he is highly sympathetic, considerate and
compassionate towards his servants
 The author refers to the servants as ‘sober and
staid’ ( solemn and respectable) persons

because of their appearance and behaviour.
They have never left their master and have
grown old with him
7
2nd paragraph (continued)
 Sir Roger’s valet( personal attendant) looked
like his brother, his butler was grey haired,
his groom ( one who looked after horses) was
one of the gravest man that the author saw
and the coachman looked like a member of
the legislature.
 Even Sir Roger’s dog had grown old but was
looked after with great care and tenderness

though he was currently useless.
8
Sir Roger’s relation with his
domestics (3rd paragraph)
 The author describes the mutual love and
respect between Sir Roger and his servants
 Sir Roger’s visit to his country house brought
great cheer and happiness to his servants.

 Sir Roger also enquired about the affairs of
the house with a mixture of the father and

the master.
 His humanity and good nature endeared him
to all. Any sign of sickness or discomfort in

him brought concern to his servants.
9
The Butler and the Chaplain
( 4th and 5th paragraph)
 The author mentions that Sir Roger put him
under the care of his butler who was a
prudent man and was always desirous of
pleasing him
 But the author’s chief companion was the
chaplain who had lived in the family as a

relation rather than a dependant
 The chaplain was a person of good sense and
heartily loved Sir Roger who held him in high

esteem.
10
The Chaplain
(6th paragraph)
 The author describes Sir Roger character and remarks
that his personality was marked by a certain
extravagance which distinguished him from the rest. And
because of this character trait, Sir Roger’s conversation
were highly agreeable.
 The author then describes his conversation with him

when Sir Roger expressed his appreciation of his
Chaplain who was recommended by his University friend
when Sir Roger had requested him for a clergyman who
was a man of plain sense than much learning, of a good
aspect, a clear voice, a sociable temper and a man who
understood a little of backgammon
11
6th paragraph
( continued)
 Sir Roger then narrated his experience with the
chaplain( who had been living with him for
thirty years )to the author.
 The chaplain possessed all the qualities that
were required of him and since he valued him

so much, Sir Roger had settled upon him a good
annuity for life.
 Sir Roger also mentioned how the chaplain was
always concerned for his parishioners and there

had never been in the parish a law-suit since
his arrival.
12
6th paragraph
(continued)
 Sir Roger also mentioned the author that
when the chaplain had first settled with him,
he had presented him a compilation of good
sermons which had been printed in English
and requested him to pronounce one of them
in the pulpit every Sunday.
 Accordingly, the chaplain had summarized
them into such a series that they followed

one another naturally and made a continuous
system of practical divinity,
13
The chaplain at the pulpit
( 7th paragraph)
 The author expressed his satisfaction of the

chaplain when he saw him at the pulpit
 He endorsed Sir Roger’s insistence upon the
qualifications of a good aspect and a clear voice

for a clergyman. For it were these qualities of
the chaplain which charmed the author when he
delivered his sermon.
 The author makes a beautiful comparison when
he remarks that a sermon delivered in this

manner ii like a poem recited by a graceful
actor.
14
Conclusion
 The author concludes by recommending that
all country clergymen should follow this
example .
 Instead of wasting their energies on
composing difficult compositions of their

own, the author advises that they should
engage their qualities in delivering sermons
penned by greater masters.
 This would not only be easier for them for
would be more useful to the people.
15
Textual Questions
 Describe the author’s experience at Sir
Roger’s house.
 Whom does the author refer to as Sir
Roger’s family? Why does he call them as

“sober and staid persons”?
 Describe Sir Roger’s family and his relation
with them.
 Describe the qualities necessary for a
chaplain according to Sir Roger.

 Discuss the character of Sir Roger.
 Discuss Addison as a periodical essayist.
16

Sir Roger at Home by Joseph Addison: 4 Semester Alternative English Prepared by Dr. S.Nath, Dept. of English

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sir Roger at Home by Joseph Addison: 4 Semester Alternative English Prepared by Dr. S.Nath, Dept. of English

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sir Roger at Home by Joseph Addison: 4 Semester Alternative English Prepared by Dr. S.Nath, Dept. of English

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sir Roger at Home

publications that came out regularly, usually

information and news, but comprised of a

April 1709 appearing three times a week until

publication, Addison and Steele launched the

Spectator Club whose members extolled the

commerce, the army, the town and the county

meant to represent a typical landed gentry

disposition, he was loved by all.

imperfections were tinged with a certain

the author privacy and freedom to spend his

staid’ ( solemn and respectable) persons

looked after with great care and tenderness

great cheer and happiness to his servants.

the house with a mixture of the father and

to all. Any sign of sickness or discomfort in

chaplain who had lived in the family as a

heartily loved Sir Roger who held him in high

 The author then describes his conversation with him

were required of him and since he valued him

always concerned for his parishioners and there

them into such a series that they followed

 The author expressed his satisfaction of the

qualifications of a good aspect and a clear voice

he remarks that a sermon delivered in this

composing difficult compositions of their

would be more useful to the people.

Roger’s family? Why does he call them as

chaplain according to Sir Roger.

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.