The Spectator’s Account of Himself
Essay
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Addison Steele
The Spectator’s Account of Himself Main Text
The Spectator's
Account Of Himself
Spectator No. 1 1/3/1711 from Addison's Essays
Non fumum ex fulgore, sed ex fumo dare lucem
Cogitat, ut speciosa dehinc miracula promat.. — Horace
He does not lavish at a blaze his fire,
Sudden to glare, and in a smoke expire;
But rises from a cloud of smoke to light,
And pours his specious miracles to sight — Francis
I HAVE observed, that a reader seldom peruses...
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The Spectator’s Account of Himself Key Facts
Full Title: The Spectator’s Account of Himself
Essayist: Joseph Addison (1672–1719)
Famous For: Co-founder of The Spectator periodical; leading essayist of the 18th century
Literary Type: Periodical Essay / Personal Essay
Published In: The Spectator, No. 1
First Published: March 1, 1711
Main Character: The Spectator (an anonymous observer, narrator)
Genre: Essay, Periodical Literature, Nonfictio...
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The Spectator’s Account of Himself Quotations
“I was born to a small hereditary estate…without the loss or acquisition of a single field or meadow, during the space of six hundred years.”
Explanation: The narrator describes his family’s old estate. It passed from father to son for hundreds of years without any changes.
“There runs a story in the family, that when my mother was gone with child of me about three months, she dreamt that she was...
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The Spectator’s Account of Himself Summary
Curiosity About the Author: The essay starts with the writer’s thoughts about readers. He says readers want to know about the author’s life. They want to know personal details, like whether the writer is married, his appearance, or his personality. The author decides to write about himself first. He wants readers to understand him before reading more essays.
Family Background and Early Life: He s...
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The Spectator’s Account of Himself Themes
Curiosity and Human Nature: People are often curious about others. In the essay, readers want to know about the author’s life, appearance, and habits. The author explains that this curiosity is natural. Addison says writers should share a little about themselves to satisfy readers’ interest. This theme shows that understanding people is an important part of human nature.
Observation and Spectator...
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