Digression, Time, and Hobby-horses Digression is a literary device that involves the use of a passage of time to explore a different topic related to the...
Digression is a literary device that involves the use of a passage of time to explore a different topic related to the original theme. Sterne skillfully employs this technique in Chapter 2 of "The Vicar of Wakefield" by using a digression to introduce the topic of time's relentless march and the futility of human endeavors to escape its grasp.
In this passage, we see how **time's relentless flow is depicted through the metaphor of the hobby-horses. These horses, whose purpose is to draw water from a well, are gradually consumed by the relentless tide, highlighting the futility of human attempts to resist the inevitable passage of time.
Sterne also explores the theme of the relentless cycle of life and death through the cyclical movement of the hobby-horses' lives. Their existence, birth, death, and rebirth, mirrored by the tides, symbolizes the cyclical nature of all living things and the inevitability of death.
The digression also serves to introduce the multifaceted character of the Vicar, whose various interests and pursuits reveal his intellectual depth and humility. The contrast between his passionate defense of religion and his leisure in gardening underscores the tensions and complexities within his character.
Through the use of this digression, Sterne not only introduces a new topic but also explores various themes related to time, life, death, and human nature, enriching the overall narrative of the chapter and revealing the multifaceted nature of the Vicar's character