The Spectator and English City Life
The Spectator covered a variety of facets of English city life. In the 18th century, the news journal evolved to become one of the most read publications. Beginning in early 1700, the one-page essay was released once a week, with an emphasis on commentary on English values, manners, and literature. The Spectator should have combined economy, politics, poetry, and literary news. (Baker 252). Addison and Steele provided lively stories and reports about London society using a variety of accounts, focusing on various subjects, some of which included government affairs. The magazine also advocated for moral principles like the virtue of helping others and the significance of fearing debt. However, the commentary evaluated a range of English work. In this essay, there is a demonstration that journalists such as the authors of The Spectator had a role of assessing the societal affairs and making readers reflect on their daily lives to make them take measures to improve their lives.
Evaluating Societal Knowledge
First, the journalists were responsible for evaluating the societal knowledge by assessing the work of authors and artists. For instance, Addison and Richard assess whether Milton's Paradise Lost belongs to the epic poetry based on the standards set about such poetry previously (Addison & Steele p.3). The evaluation was done by relating the work with other works of the similar category. Therefore, the journalist played as role of assessor of the knowledge in the 18th century England.
Disclosure of Societal Matters
Ideally, the primary role of the journalists in the 18th century was the disclosure of the societal matters. The popular essays in the journal were the Gentleman's Magazine, the Tattler, the Rambler and the Idler. The essays in the magazine presented popular views about the society in the 18th century. The Tatler, presented social and fictive letters to the editor that gave the authors a forum of intellectual and moral commentary. Ideally, the journalist took a position of a medium in the spread of information. Individuals that were socially important were allowed to contribute to the topics. Such people included merchants, lawyers, soldiers, clergymen, and socialites. The persons contributed gossip and matters relating to the social behaviors to Mr. Spectator and through the journal, people could know what professionals thought about life issues.
Presenting Business and Economic Ideologies
The Spectator presented the aspect of business and economic ideologies to readers. For example, at the beginning, the spectator accounts for the number of copies that are in circulation on a daily basis and the amount he is likely to earn from the same in London; 'threescore thousand Disciples in London and Westminster, who will distinguish themselves from the thoughtless herd of the ignorant and Inattentive Brethren' (Addison & Steele p.1). Based on economic ideologies, on the section of the paper called the De Covertly, Addison and Steele could present contrasts between the existing parties of that time: the Tory and Whig Parties. Another section referred to as the Honeycomb is used to satirize the extreme socialism on the morality of a person as well as judgment.
Enlightening People about Events
The journalist enhanced enlightening of people about the events that were not only occurring within their vicinity but also those from the outside world. For instance, the Spectator significantly reflects on the aspect of adhering to daily routines in London without making effort to explore further. The tone used at the beginning of the publication is apathetic and dry, which indicates apathy on things happening outside the society's realm. The Spectator himself pays attention to the lackluster life that surrounds him and mocks the lifestyle in which every member wakes up at eight, dresses, and begins smoking pipes, They walk to fields, eat sumptuous lunch and go back to retire. He teases the diarist for airing about the smallest details of his life and nothing further. Those that were unwilling to explore are not only referred to as ignorant but also imbeciles caught upon their normal affairs and the society that is ignorant itself. Being overwhelmed about daily affairs without being bothered about things that hardly concern them is an act of selfishness. Mr. Spectator, the 17th Century English journalist wanted the people to know about the dead Grand Viziers and Sultans in empires that were away from England such as when he says that 'it is not much better to be let into self-knowledge than to hear what passes in Muscovy or Poland' (Addison & Steele P.1). He demonized the life that is based on routine by saying that 'follies are killed with constant and assiduous culture' (p.1). Therefore, with a lot of satire, The Spectator editor dared people to break away from the boring life that entangles them and explore the rest of the world.
Promoting Moral Conduct
The journalist had a role in making people develop an interest in moral conduct in their daily lives. By claiming that 'I shall endeavor to enliven morality with wit and temper with morality' (Addison & Steele p.1), the spectator presented himself as an agent of promoting accepted codes of conduct. More so, the journalist suggested that he has a role in reminding the people regularly by saying that 'I have resolved to refresh their memories on a daily basis' (Addison & Steele p.1). Day (1099) suggests that the journalist has a role in amassing a variety of information from different sources to make the message credible in the destination (bringing philosophies from libraries, schools, and colleges to dwell in clubs, assemblies, tea tables, and coffee tables). Those with fortunes and dispositions have a role to play in serving humanity according to the journalist Addison & Steele (P.1). People must treat others in a humane way (Addison & Steele p.10). The two authors argue that the perceptions about what life entails vary among species and humans stand out among all creatures in such perceptions. The humans must embrace goodness and knowledge of the Supreme Being (p.12). The journalists conducted a survey and critique of the works based on the previous histories.
Promoting Equality, Including Feminism
The journalists in the 1700s had a role in promoting equality, including feminism. The Spectator began calling for equal participation of all members of the society in important matters such as readership of journals (Pratt). When referring to women, Mr. Spectator asserts that English women are highly concerned with toilet manners and beauty (cooking and adjusting habit to attract their male counterparts (Addison & Steele p.2) to be transferred to their minds by reading the Spectator. Apparently, the journalists were responsible for encouraging all members of the society to expand their view of societal issues and participate in societal matters equally without considering what the society had enchained them with.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in the 18th century, journalists had a role in assessing the societal affairs and making readers reflect on their daily lives. First, they surveyed and criticized the existing literature to establish the level at which they fitted in the existing contexts. They also enabled people to understand the events around them to make the most appropriate choices in life. Journalists also played a significant role in spreading the ideas of morality in the society, including the importance of sharing material things and observing religious values.
Works Cited
Addison. J &Steele, R. “The Spectator. No.10, March 12.1711.”Print
Baker, William. Critical Companion to Jane Austen: A Literary Reference to Her Life and Work. New York: Facts On File, 2008. Print
Day, Gary. The Encyclopedia of British Literature 1660 - 1789: 2. Chichester [u.a.: Wiley Blackwell, 2015. Print.
Pratt, J. To “Enliven Morality with Wit” The Spectator. History magazine.2011.Web http://www.history-magazine.com/spectator.html
