How Does Sir Roger Exercise his Authority in the Church?
Sir Roger at Church is a notable literary work by Joseph Addison. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Sir Roger at Church.
Answer
How does Sir Roger exercise his authority in the Church?
In Joseph Addison’s (1672-1719) “Sir Roger at Church,” Sir Roger de Coverley exercises his authority in several distinct and engaging ways. As a devoted churchman and landlord, he takes personal responsibility for the well-being and proper conduct of his parishioners during church services.
Improvements for the Church: Firstly, Sir Roger beautifies the church’s interior. He funds improvements like a handsome pulpit cloth and a railed communion table. Addison writes about Sir Roger’s generosity in the following manner:
My friend Sir Roger, being a good church-man, has beautified the inside of his church with several texts of his own choosing: he has likewise given a handsome pulpit-cloth, and railed in the communion-table at his own expense.
He also provides every parishioner with a prayer book and a hassock for kneeling, ensuring everyone can participate fully in the service. Sir Roger also addresses the musical aspect of the service. He hires a singing master to teach the congregation proper psalm tunes. He makes his church proud of its singing abilities, often outdoing other country churches.
Maintaining Discipline: During the service, Sir Roger actively maintains discipline. While he sometimes nods off during the sermon, he quickly recovers and checks if anyone else is sleeping. If he sees someone nodding off, he either wakes them himself or sends his servant.
Eccentricities: Sir Roger is also awkward during the services. He may prolong a psalm verse or say “Amen” multiple times when the prayer particularly moves him. Occasionally, he stands up while others are kneeling to count the congregation or check if any of his tenants are absent. After the sermon, no one leaves the church until Sir Roger does. Addison writes,
As soon as the sermon is finished, nobody presumes to stir till Sir Roger is gone out of the church.
Sir Roger walks down the aisle with his tenants bowing to him on both sides. He inquires about absent parishioners and subtly reprimands them for their absence.
To conclude, through these actions, Sir Roger ensures that the church service is orderly, engaging, and a central part of village life. It reflects Sir Roger’s commitment to his community’s spiritual and social well-being.