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Sir Roger at Church: Joseph Addison - Introduction, Summary and Conclusion

 Sir Roger at Church is a humorous essay about a typical English churchgoer in the early 18th century. It was written by English essayist, Joseph Addison. Addison's essay is also notable for its humor and its insights into human nature. Sir Roger at Church is the importance of religion and its role in society. Addison argues that religion is a civilizing force that helps to keep people in line and promotes good behavior.  It was written in the early 18th century, a time of great religious and political upheaval in England. Addison's essay reflects the concerns of the time about the role of religion in society.

Sir Roger at Church was first published in 1712 in the Spectator, a periodical journal edited by Addison and Richard Steele. The essay was later collected in Addison's Works, which was published in 1721. In an important time, the composition was written in the Age of Enlightenment. The church is a symbol of religion and its role in society. Sir Roger is a symbol of the typical English churchgoer in the early 18th century. Sir Roger is an avid churchgoer and a devout Christian. He wants everyone to attend church on Sundays to maintain their discipline and faith.


At the beginning of the story, Sir Roger De Coverley expresses that he is always very well pleased with a country Sunday, and he thinks to keep all the men in the church in Sunday. He also discloses, "Sunday clears away the rust of thewhole week, not only as it refreshes in their minds the notions of religion, but as it puts both the sexes upon appearing in their most agreeable forms, and exerting all such qualities as are apt to give them a figure in the eyeof the village." 


Sir Roger De Coverley often shows, ". He has often told me that, at his coming to his estate, he found h parishioners very irregular; and that in order to make them kneel and join in the responses." In a yesterday, Addison was surprised to hear his old friend, John Mathews where Mathews stopped him not to disturb the congregation. In a time, when Sir Roger De Coverley was with a boy, Sir Roger orders the to give a Bible for his encouragement. 


In the last of the story,  the parson instructs them every Sunday in the dignity of his order, and insinuates to them inalmost every sermon that he is a better man than his patron. It is expressed that, "the parson threatens him, if hedoes not mend his manners, to pray for him in the face of the whole congregation." Sir Roger De Coverley expresses in the empire of nature which is fatal to the human, and wants to spread the importance of religious speeches that old five-hundred-year's men do not believe. 


Throughout the story, the essay revolves around the concept of religious devotion and social behavior within the context of a church service. It offers a lighthearted and critical examination of the intersection of faith and social customs in the 18th century England. It highlights the tension between personal eccentricities and societal expectations in the setting of a religious congregation, offering a humorous and critical perspective on the dynamics of faith and social customs. 


To conclude, Addison's composition "Sir Roger at Church" from "Spectator 112" reflects on Sir Roger's behavior and his genuine piety. "Sir Roger is a good churchman, and has beautified the inside of his church with several texts of his own choosing", Addison says. This passage highlights Sir Roger's generosity and his commitment to his faith. William Hazlitt, an English essayist and critic of the early 19th century, wrote that Addison's essay "Sir Roger at Church" is "a masterpiece of portraiture." 



Our Material Follows:

1) Sir Roger at Church Introduction

2) Sir Roger At Church Summary

3) Sir Roger at Church Theme

4) Sir Roger at Church Analysis

5) Sir Roger at Church Critical Appreciation

6) Sir Roger at Church Book Analysis


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