Coverley Paper by Addison and Steele

Q: Illustrate the major philosophical ideas of the 18^th century depicted in the following essays of Coverley Paper -

1. Sir Roger at Home
2. On Ghosts and Apparitions
3. On the Shame and Fear of Poverty
4. Rural Manners.

Answer:

Written by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele, the de Coverley Paper is the mirror of the eighteenth century’s life and manner, both of the city and countryside. Sir Roger, one of the good friends of Addison and Steele, represents the lifestyle of rural England in eighteenth century.

In eighteenth century class conflict becomes one of the major social factors. Sir Roger is a country squire, who has a great relationship with his servants. The servants have been working here for a long time, who are very faithful and love him. He also shows kindness to them and maintains a fatherly relationship. Though he loves his servants, he never gives his used things to them. He thinks that if the servants use his cast off things, then they will suppose them as a landlord, which demonstrates the class distinction.    

Eighteenth century is known as ‘Age of reason’. Because of the scientific revolution, people are becoming more reasonable. Sir Roger is the symbol of reason according to eighteenth century. There is a hunted beside Sir Roger’s house, where the servants of the house don’t go because of fear. They can see or feel supernatural things, such as ghost. Then Sir Roger tells his clergyman to stay a night in that hunted to reduce the fear of his servants. Thus Sir Roger proves that there is no ghost and everything is created by weak mind.

Eighteenth century is totally a money oriented society and the major aspect of social conflict. People pretence about wealth that is unfortunately common at that time. They borrow money from others to spend extravagantly. This empty pride only shows dishonor. Someone who has less money should spend money within a limit and also should not feel shame to be poor. But the shame of poverty is a common scene of eighteenth century.

London is a mono centered country in eighteenth century. Everyone wants to go London to survive in a better situation. When the country man goes to London, they tries to imitate the city people, which they actually can’t perform, rather just lose the simplicity of honesty. Thus simplicity is being guilt by the cruelty of city life.

The main subject of the Coverley Paper is to satire the society. Though this is the age of enlighten, scientific revolution has occurred and people become educated; social, psychological, political conflict have appeared- all these factors are portrayed by Addison and Steele through wit irony and symbols.