Answer: The minister is formal and professional. He speaks in an emotionless tone, which the boy “only endured.” If the minister had read the text with feeling as if it were a story or poem, the boy would have been more interested, but the congregation would find it odd. Ministers usually act serious during prayer, as they take prayers and their faith seriously. The boy “was not listening” because the prayer was serious, and not new to him. Readers know that he regularly hears this prayer because it says, “he knew the ground of old, and the clergyman's regular route over it.” The clergyman had a “regular route over” the prayer, meaning he recited it often. However, when he did add things, the boy’s “ear detected it and his whole nature resented it; he considered additions unfair, and scoundrelly.” This means the boy knows the prayer well, as he hears it frequently, but new words added make him pay attention for a brief second. He “resented it” because he did not want to pay attention. The minister’s “monotonous” droning shows he is boring to the boy, but professional in the eyes of the congregation.
Explanation:
“The minister gave out his text and droned along monotonously”
