Question #2Addison

2000AP English:
Literature & Composition

Sample CCC

In this passage of The Spectator (March 4, 1712), the English satirist Joseph Addison creates a character who keeps a
diary. The diarists language used reveals characteristic of himself and his society, and Addisons actual satiric purpose.
Such elements as selections of detail, repetition, and tone all helped the diarist to develop his language used and his
characterization portrayed.
The diarist is extremely routine often repeating the same events like napping or going to the club on a number of the days
recorded. He pays attention to small, often irrelevant detail when telling about what happens but he does not elaborate. He
shows no real emotion to anything that has affected him, he just tells the facts and nothing else like he was taking notes. It
seems as though, like the author, the diarist is English and obviously old-fashioned in 1712. He addresses people as sir and
people wore wigs as they did in England also.
Addisons satiric purpose was to reveal the mundane, repetitive qualities of life. His characterization of the diarist
displayed just how boring English life really was, almost as a parallel for himself. His use of elements like selection of
detail, repetition and tone helped him create images in the life of the diarists, effectively showing the boring routine he must
have had to endure throughout his life.

Sample M

If ones life were as boring as this diarists is, then the world would be filled with boring, proper people. In Joseph
Addisons passage, the diarists day show the monotony of the not only the diarists life, but the monotony of English society.
The concise phrases and formality of the diary helps to provide Addison with a satirical characterization of the society he
lives in, and how boring it really is.
The character knows when he wakes up, knows when he eats, and when he takes his afternoon naps. The daily repetition
of his activities, show the monotony of his life. There is no spontaneity in the diarists life. The only thing that comes close
to spontaneity is when the tongue of [his] shoe buckle broke (lines 33-34), but even then he makes it sound boring. The
clipped phrases with no detail, except for the occasional memo about what not to eat again, show how uninspiring the daily
routine of this man was. For example, he says coffee-house (28), and that is all. No explanation is made for why he went
there, or no ellaboration was contributed as to what he did there.
The lack of ellaboration and constant repetition of daily routines can also be shown in the society. When the diarist talks
of reading the news, he says, Grand vizier strangled (line 29). Most likely, no detail into what had happened was given,
until later the next day, when it was discovered he was strangled and afterwards beheaded (47-48). This statement, though,
may not be correct because another opinion is given. Therefore, most likely no one knows the truth. The society is as much
monotonous and boring as the diarist is. Everyone goes to the club, that is, those who can afford it, and every one
discussed the same topic, like the death of the Grand Vizier.
Addisons satirical interpretation of the diarist only shows the monotony of the society that he lives in. The mundane
and drab daily routines are repeated over and over, and the somewhat interesting topics (like the Grand Viziers death) are
played down. In all, Addison shows the society he lives in, that their life is a boring as the diarists.

Sample BBB

The diary of the Spectator reveals the life of a man that is very much the same, day after day. His daily routine has no
enjoyment nor does it have anything appetizing to the person.
The language of the passage is very simple. Its very short and its very sweet. They are incomplete sentences that tell a
lot about the life of the character and the society he is living in. It seems that were the character lives, their isnt a lot to do.
They seem to be very interested in politics, especially that of Mr. Nisby. The character does things that are normal to our
everyday life like reading the newspaper, taking a shower, dressing up, etc. The society seems to be very plain and working
class people. It seems like nice town, except that like in everyplace, violence and murders occur.
This serves the satirical purpose of Addison because of the things the character writes in his diary. A diary has to have
more elaboration on interesting topics. It involves writing about your feelings that day. Its also satirical because of the
repitition used. Everyday the character would do down to the club and everyday Mr. Nisby would be talking or giving his
opinion about something political or historical. Also, talking or writing about the the direction of the wind was very funny.
People dont really right that in there diaries. It really isnt important.
This diary consisted more of his daily schedule rather than his person, private stuff.
Sample Y

The diarist and his society are characterized as cold, unfeeling people who are too set in their everyday routines to notice
the world around them change. This sets the tone for the passage. It seems very relaxed and unchanging with no strong
emotion. The diarist takes everything in his life with the same amount of concern, from his walk in the fields to Mr.
Nisbys opinion about the peace, from a dish of twist to the strangulation of the Grand Vizier to a cookmaid in love.
Life, love, death, and coffee all are of equal concern (or lack thereof) to the diarist. This satirizes the way that society tends
to take disaster and tragedy as little more than newsprint made to give a person something to do while he sips his coffee.
The constant repetition of the diarists life also adds to this effect. Every day is exactly the same for him, and the only
things he takes note of are causes for complaint (sprouts wanting, cookmaid in love, and grown careless, too many
plums and no suet, Sir Timothy did not bring me my annuity according to his promise). While he takes note of all of these
things, he refuses to take responsibility for any of them, casting the blame on everyone but himself. The repetition also helps
convey the image of his apathy towards the world around him. He never details any conversations with Mr. Nisby or Sir
Timothy, nor does he explain why he boxes Ralphs ear or turned off his cookmaid. It is this selection of detail which
shows his total self-absorption and lack of concern for anything which does not immediately concern him. The only details
which attention are drawn to are his constant complaints. He downplays the things which are ill in the North, the
strangulation of the Grand Vizier, and his cookmaid, who is in love because they do not immediately concern him. These
events merely provide a topic of conversation for him and a headline for the Supplement and Daily Courant.
This passage characterizes and satirizes both the diarist and the society in which he lives. It accentuates the distant and
unfeeling nature of society in general, as well as its constant self-absorption and repetition. The very concept of the diary
itself acts as a metaphor for an individuals concern only for himself and the events which he chooses to record. Society
causes the diarist, as well as its other members to become blind to the world and all it has to offer and teaches the individual
to have the capability to only see himself and events directly relating to him. Addisons satire is effective in bringing readers
to the realization of this fact and causes them to look inside of themselves and relate to the passage, not only in reference to
the diarist, but in respect to society as a whole.

Sample DDDD

The diarist seems to be of English stature. He seems to be a wealthy individual that enjoys dining and drinking fine
wines. Thhe diarist follows a schedule and follows it day to day with little variation. It can be stated that he an avid smoker
(Smoked three pipes of Virginia, and belongs to a mens club.
From reading this passage, it can be said that the diarist adored the Grand Vizier and wished to have met him. The satire
which Addisson projects is of an Englishmans adoration of a foreign power.

Sample JJJ

By Reading a diary one can find out a lot of information on a person. At times people keep a log of their inner most
thoughts and dreams. Other times it is just a day by day account of what is happening in their life. The character that Joseph
Addison creates simply writes down occurances of the day. The language which he chooses is monotone. Perhaps the
character is monotone himself and lives in a monotone society. These simple diary entries also support Addisons satiric
purposes. Through detail (or lack thereof) tone and Repetition, we as readers are faced with the common everyday life of the
diarist.
The diarist often uses phrases such as as usual, ditto, and once again. This suggests that there is a great amount of
repetion in the diarists life. Also every night, with the exception of Thursday, the character dined and carried on discussion
with Mr. Nisby. It is noticible that the diarist only accounts what Mr. Nisbys opinions were on various subjects. Not once
does he state his own opinions or thoughts. This suggests a sense of insecurity. The diarists surroundings also do not seem
to stimulate the diarist. He takes walks in cornfields and often contiplates the death of Grand Vizier. Other than that he does
not respond to what is going on around him.
There do seem to be, however, two things that are of great importance to the diarist. Food and sleep. He takes his daily
naps and records when he did not sleep. If something went bad with either of these subjects it is very apparent on the rest of
his day. For exmaple, on Thursday he first slept an hour late, then at two he has a loss of appetite. After a bad meal he could
not take his nap. Since he didnt take his nap he did not go out that night and went to bed early. The tone of this day was less
than plesant.
Addisons purpose in writing this diary entry was to perhaps support his satirist viewpoints. He wanted to display how
certain things in life, such as food and lseep, can play such a large role in a persons life. While the larger things such as a
holiday (Tuesday) or the death of a chief administrative officer are so unimportant. Addison wanted a monotone feeling over
this characgters life, and that is what he gave to this characters life, consistancy and boredom.
Sample LL

The Restoration was marked by the birth of several renowned, brilliant and bitter satirists. These authors ___ society for
many things: deism, scientific revolution and a penchant for routine. The universal subject for satire, however, was the
authors view that society had fallen into an emotional, personal and spiritual rut that was sadly hidden by the high standard
of living at the time. The elements of repetition, tone and selection of detail in Joseph Addisons The Spectator characterize
the diarist and his society as unthinking, superficial and unworldly; these elements serve Addisons satiric purpose in that the
exaggeration of detail in the passage emphasizes and pokes fun at the emotional and spiritual void in society.
The elements of repetition is very important in this passage in characterizing the diarist as perfunctory and almost
animalistic in his behavior. The diarists routine consists of personal grooming, light exercise, repose, dining and an
occasional sit-in at a coffee-house. This routine hardly varies in the course of the weekone notices that the diarist does not
pursue any academic goals or have any intellectual or spiritual pleasures. Rather, his daily tte--tte with Mr. Nisby seems
to be his only source of information from the outside world. He does not bother to assert his own opinions; Mr. Nisbys
statements are taken as his own. In a time when unrest was growing both in the English colonies and France, the diarist
seems wholly unaware of any trouble save his occasional indigestionmuch as the title of Addisons work indicates, the
diarist really is a deplorable spectator during one of the most interesting times in history. He seems to live only to satisfy
his basic, primal instinct and is thus superficial.
Another resource of language that characterizes the diarist as a robot-like, foppish aristocrat is the scientific tone of the
passage. Just as the scientific revolution is depicted as a time where fact and not feeling sainted, so is the diarist unconcerned
with his own intellect and emotions. Addison is satirizing through the narrative, didactic tones of the passage the diarists
lack of involvement in the intellectual revolution that surrounded him. Addison was poking fun at the many people who idly
watched as brilliant minds made progress in science, literature and philosophy. The passage does not contain any description
of the diarists thoughts or emotions, which makes it seem like a scientific journal solely concerned with fact. Tone
characterizes the diarist as perfunctory and superficial as the tones of the passage are purely objective.
Addisons selection of detail also characterizes the diarist and 18th century society as unthinking and unworldly. The
entries for the week describe mundane activities that most people would not bother to write down. The fact is, however, that
the diarist has nothing else to write about. His life is his routine; unfortunately, this routine is very self-centered and
egocentric. All of he entries relate to the diarists actions during the week solely concerning himself; whereas most journals
contain profound thoughts on society or personal observations and anecdotes, the diarists log is neither. Addison juxtaposes
the death of the Grand Vizier with the consumption of a beverage; someone who is so wholly uninterested in the fate of
others and the news in the world can only be described as self-serving and mechanical. As the diarist can be seen as the
embodiment of the Restorations system of values and mindset, the 1700s in Addisons viewpoint were an equally despicable
time period as the man himself.
The characterization of the diarist and the resources of language in the passage also serve Addisons satiric purpose in
that they exaggerate minute and mundane detail and they emphasize the emotional/intellectual voic in the society of the
Restoration. Addison wanted to criticize those who failed to act while others made social progress. He felt that these people
were a disgrace to society and the people of the Restoration valued the wrong ideals. He felt that the scientific revolution
wrongly pushed aside natural human values and dieals in favor of fact and logical reasoning.

Sample SS

A persons character can be seen from his words, his routines and the company he keeps. Joseph Addison uses these
elements in creating a humorous jab at society in his day. His choice of language, tone, repetition and his selection of detail
all serve in presenting a satirical characterization of the diarist.
The events one puts in a diary speak clearly about the person. The events that make it in are the ones that are of
importance to the diarist. Addisons character tells his diary about his quality of sleep, quality of his dinner Too many plums
and no suet (lin 12) and that on Thursday he Could not take my [his] nap (ln 60). Choosing to put these seemingly
humdrum events into a diary, Addison tells us a lot about the character of his diarist. His selection of detail pokes fun at the
life of the gentleman and serves well Addisons satirical purpose.
In poetry a line or idea that is repeated throughout a work is said to have a greater importance. So too could be said for
the lines and events that are repeated throughout the diary of Joseph Addisons gentleman. On five or six days presented the
diarist Took my afternoons nap (line 13). The event is repeated and the words used to describe it are so similar the
newspaper reader can assume that Addison must be using it to suggest that a deeper meaning is hidden within the nap.
Addison uses the repetition of these seemingly insignificant events to satirize the life of the diarist.
Addisons diarist writes his diary with sincerity. He does not use his diary to insult or comment on those around him only
to convey the events of the day. Opinions are stated objectively Mr. Nisby of opinion that laced coffee is bad for the head.
(line 73-74) the only judgements that are rendered are those regarding food Sprouts wanting. (line 26). Addison keeps the
tone of his work serious and objective in order to further ridicule the character of his diarist.
 In his addition to The Spectator Addison issues a judgement on his society. He uses a gentleman with an ordinary life
and a repetative routine to convey his message. Through his diarist, Addison uses repetition, tone, and selection of detail to
characterize and satirize his diarist and his society.

Sample DD

In this passage from The Spectator Joseph Addison pokes fun at upper-class society. Addison uses language, specifically
selection of detail, repetition, and tone, to create satire. This language characterizes the diarist and his society as somewhat
foolish and thereby serves Addisons satiric purposes.
In this excerpt from a fake diary the diarist writes down all that he feels is important during his day. Addison is clearly
satirizing upper-class society. One of the ways satirizes is through the diarists attention to detail. The diarist gives the same
attention to the simple act of Tied my knee-strings and washed my hands as he does to important world issues such as
Grand Vizier strangled. Attention to such silly detail as washed hands and face, shaved on par with Grand Vizier
certainly dead characterizes the diarist, and thereby society as somewhat foolish. Although he is upper-class, the diarist
clearly does not understand the importance of world issues. Through selection of detail, Addison characterizes the diarist and
society as ridiculous, clearly enhancing his satiric purposes.
Another aspect of the diary that characterizes both the diarist and society and thereby serves satiric purposes is repetition.
The repetition found in the diary of nap, washed, Mr. Nisby sleep eat, and smoked is significant of the daily
schedule of the diarist. Although he has the tremendous freedom of a sustinance without work, the diarist does not take
advantage of it. He rises at the same time, eats, naps and socializes all at specific times, and goes to bed with little variance.
The repetition observed in the diary represents the redundancy found in the diarists life. This schedule characterizes the
diarist, as well as his society, as mindless, and thus serves Addisons satiric purposes.
One of the most important aspects of satire is tone. In this diary a cold, unfeeling tone is used throughout the passage.
Both Too many plums and no suet and cookmaid in love, and grown careless are said without emotion. Although
comments about food are reasonably stated without feeling, opinions about the emotions of others should not be. The
important matter of Sir Timothy, who did not bring me my annuity according to his promise is also said flatly. The
unemotional tone characterizes the diarist and his society as unemotional and thereby serves the satiric purposes of Addison.
In this mock-diary from the March 4, 1712 edition of The Spectator is clearly a satire of upper class society. The
selection of detail, repetition, and tone combine to characterize the diarist as foolishly mindless and unemotional. This
characterization of the diarist expands to characterize his society and thereby serves Addisons satiric purposes.