Essay Questions

What does William Paley mean when he states “The constitution of animals page” in his book “Natural Theology”?

The phrase ‘the animal constitution’ is metaphorically used to mean the natural survival tactics applied by animals for their daily survival. Animals do not have a written constitution to guide them on what to do things but they seem very organized and do their things in an organized manner. They have an instinct that guides them on what to do at any particular time. Just like humans, animals have leaders, organizations, and workers who perform their duties under specific norms and rules. The author observed animal traits and concluded that they are just organized as humans and behave as if they have a set of rules that govern them. They know their boundaries and liver in clusters. The author writes:

"I mean that it is conformable to the frame and wants of their constitution, that nature, by the very disposition of her elements, has commanded, as it were, and imposed upon them, at moderate intervals, a general in the transmission of their toils, their occupations, and pursuits.”

Illustrate using two examples of how William Paley uses the literary device Irony to make his story more attractive to the readers.

As the story progresses, the reader can see how the author uses the literary device of irony. Firstly, there is an irony of sparrows where the author states that they hatch in an oven. The understanding of the reader is that an oven is very hot and no life can come out of it. However, the author uses the oven ironically to mean a secretive place where sparrows are assured that their eggs can hatch without the interruption of other birds. In other words, the author means that sparrows lay and brood their eggs in highly protective places to ensure there is no interference from other birds. He writes:

“I entertain no doubt, that a couple of sparrows hatched in an oven, and kept separate from the rest of their species, would proceed as other sparrows do, in every office which related to the production and preservation of their brood.”

How does the author use the animal wing to demonstrate the imagery of sight in his book “Natural Theology”?

The description of the animal wing by the author appeals to the sense of sight to the reader. Through his description, the reader can visualize and create an image of the animal wing to agree with the author's assertions. For instance, the writer says:

“The true wing of the animal is a light transparent membrane, finer than the finest gauze, and not unlike it”.