Sir Roger at Church : Literary devices
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, and various study materials of Sir Roger at Church.
Literary devices
Figures of Speech
Metaphor: “Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week.” Here, Sunday is compared to something that removes rust and refreshes people’s minds and spirits.
Personification: “Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week.” (The day Sunday is described as if it can “clear away” something, like a cleaner.)
Simile: Sir Roger’s leadership is shown as a model that stands out in the village.
Irony: Only Sir Roger is allowed to fall asleep in church; when he wakes, he wakes up others for being sleepy too.
Hyperbole: Sir Roger “out-does most of the country churches.” The singing in his church is described as better than all others, possibly exaggerated for effect.
Allusion: The essay opens with a quote from Pythagoras about worshipping the gods first, referencing ancient Greek teachings.
Symbolism: The church stands as a symbol of unity and order; Sir Roger’s gifts are symbols of encouragement.