Assignment 102

Assignment 102- Literature of the Neoclassical Period

Jonathan Swift as a Satirist

Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish author who is widely regarded as the foremost prose satirist in the English Language. He wrote essays, Poetry, pamphlets and a novel. Jonathan Swift is identified as an excellent satirist in literature. Satire is a field in the literature that exposes vices, abuses, and other negative behaviors in society humorously or ironically. Specifically, it deals with matters concerning politics and other relevant sections of society. Swift was experienced and knowledgeable in matters to do with religion, politics, and science enabling him to produce unique writings that made him a genius. Jonathan Swift’s journey into satire and some of the works that he did made him prominent in satire. Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish born in 1667 in Dublin, Ireland. His dad died before He was born, and his mother moved to England, leaving him under the care of his uncle. Both his parents were protestants; religion was of great significance in his life since later in life, he became a protestant minister.

 At 25 years old, he moved back to Ireland, where he developed his career in the church of Anglicans. He concentrated on satire and wrote several pieces, one of which was A Tale of Tub which ridiculed western Christianity. This type of work was a risky business, especially in his position as one of the church leaders. Swift’s work mocked society as a whole and political matters expressed by the nation and individuals.

 Work Of Jonathan Swift as satirist:

 His work expressed his powerful thoughts, which he wanted society to see and process psychologically. Despite having exposed shameful characters in society towards the end of his work when he became mentally unstable, his writings reflected his rejection of human contact. Satire exposes abuses, vices, and negative deeds in society but humorously or Ironically, it mostly deals with politics. The main aim of the satire is for shaming the government or individuals in society who engage in bad behaviours so that they can change. Swift happens to be the best satirist since he laid the best foundation of satire from his novel “a Tale of Tub’’, the novel was meant to criticise western Christianity especially the; leaders of the Church.

 He wrote three Works that are known as satirical works.

•  A Modest Proposal(1729)
• A Tale of a Tub(1704)
• Gulliver’s Travels(1726)

A Modest Proposal(1729)

This is one of the famous works of Jonathan Swift, and it used the technique of political arithmetic to explain its idea. Swift claimed that this proposal could be of great benefit to the nation as it could reduce the number of papists since he regarded them as the enemy of the people. These individuals take advantage of the poor individuals, and their main work is delivering the kingdom to those who are non-true believers.

 Another benefit is that it could increase the stock of the nation to a sustainable level. Children’s parents could get income for their survival since they would no longer spend on maintaining their children after age one. Parents would also love their children since they gain after selling them. Money could successfully circulate in the nation’s economy, leading to increased manufacturing of goods and services. Taverns could have access to many customs. He indicated that the proposal was not for his gain, but he was concerned about the good of the individuals in the nation. Keeping the nation a better place required advanced trade, infants being provided for, poverty being ended, and the rich getting the pleasure they needed.

 Swift's satire was meant to ridicule the heartless attitude concerning the poor individuals in the society and the general policies the British imposed on the Irish people. Given that there were so many beggars in Ireland during the period, including women with their young children, This proposal was shedding light on the aspect of poverty. Swift expressed children as being a burden to their parents and the nation at large, yet they could be more beneficial to the public.

 A Tale of a Tub

Tale of a Tub was published in 1704 and was a satire of religion. It was a narrative of three brothers Peter, Martin, and Jack, who represented the major branches of Christianity. Swift was using religious satire to expose the aspect of corruption in churches and schools. Peter represented the catholic denomination, Martin the Protestant, and Jack the Puritan. The brothers had inherited coats (the different religions) from their father (God), and they were guided by the will which was the bible. What was required was to alter the coats.

 Peter was relied on as the arbitrator of the will, but due to his authoritative ruling, Jack rebelled. Jack then read the will and reaped the coat to restore its original state as ornaments had been added to it. He then relied on inner illumination as he walked around with his eyes closed. Later on, Peter and Jack behaved the same way, and Martin was the only one left with a coat that was in its original state. The tale was meant to defend the Anglican church, but it was explained as an attack on all religions. Given that he was a clergyman at the Anglican church during the time, the satire acted as an obstacle to his leadership. The tale was difficult to interpret since it attacked multiple aspects at the same period It was an allegory concerning religious differences, it represents a satire on false scholarship, it acted as a parody of the existing book trade, and it contained an attachment of two treaties, i.e., “Battle of the Books,” and “The Mechanical Operation of the Spirit.” The interpretation that the satire was attacking all religions forced Swift to apologize since he was only trying to defend the Anglican.

 Satire expressed the undermining of the scholarship of Bentley, and the author does not express the originality of classical civilization. Swift is not clear on the main points that he wanted to satirize.

 Gulliver’s Travels

Swift is also known for Gulliver’s Travels, a book of fantasy, satire and political allegory. The title of the book was originally called “Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World,” and it was a satire written in four sections. It involves a combination of adventure and brutal satire throughout its writings, which mocked the customs of the English people and matters of politics of that time. It is written in the first persona, which reflects the travelling experience of Gulliver. He displays several important themes concerning society, and he poses a challenge concerning the right approach that society should consider. At some point, the presentation of the characters with different aspects makes it difficult for the reader to understand the truly right aspect that society should adopt. A society is composed of diversified individuals meaning that there is a presence of diversified culture. Swift presents the real problems faced by societies but in a satirical manner.

 Swift tries to explain whether the physical power of moral righteousness should rule society. Gulliver's big size could have given him the power to defeat the Blefuscudian navy. Physical power has been observed in that it used to be a tool for harassing other individuals; for instance, the miniature visitor faced challenges due to the large size of everything. he came across. It was used for one’s advantage, but it was essential to consider power based on moral requirements. Religion is a major cultural aspect, and each one of them tends to have a different interpretation of the scriptures. Opinions do matter; hence, it is vital to consider the needs of every group and come to an agreement. Throughout the presentation of his characters, it is not clear which form is justified; the use of physical force to dominate people, or moral superiority should work.

 

Swift explores the aspects of utopia by having the Lilliputians raise their children together, but the difference is observed in the outcome, which is not similar to that of utopia. Lilliput was destroyed by jealousy, conspiracy, and backstabbing. The Houyhnhnms are awkwardly presented since they lack proper names and hence do not have an identity in their society. Gulliver’s Travels expresses the difficulties experienced when an individual tries to assimilate into societies they do not belong to. Individuals are born in particular cultural backgrounds, and it is usually one’s choice to appreciate their own culture or to prefer an individual life. The book satirizes society versus individualism, which is evident in Gulliver’s antisocial behavior and the loneliness expressed when he talks to the horses.

 Swift satirized the Laputans in their disagreements and self-centered characters. He brings out the concept that human beings have a limited understanding and shames those who are more knowledgeable than others. He also satirizes practical understanding when it does not lead to the desired output. Swift aims at helping human beings understand that happiness is what matters in society and that knowledge is a key consideration in maintaining a well-ordained life. When society develops its understanding, it makes it easier to accept who they are, resulting in happiness. Seeking knowledge past the understanding of humans results in disagreements, and at no point should an individual develop pride in knowing more than others.

 Conclusion

 Jonathan Swift uses satire to bring light to the major issues that society faced during his period. All his work expressed an important aspect that needed to be resolved. The Modest Proposal expresses the aspect of poverty that the Irish people were experiencing. He gave a satirized suggestion that aimed at reducing poverty and improving the economy of the nation. Several individuals misinterpreted his work on the Tale of Tub since they claimed that it was an attack on all the churches. The reality was that he was trying to defend the Anglican churches, but it became a complete failure. Gulliver’s Travels was meant to express the cultural aspects of society from different perspectives. Swift is torn between physical power and moral superiority as a tool to govern society. He also expresses the need for society as it helps prevent one from loneliness. Despite the challenging situations, Swift did not stop to expose the evil in society and fight for the wellbeing of the Irish people. It is therefore clear that Jonathan Swift, as a satirist, played an important role in Ireland through his various writings.

 

Work Cited

• Awaji, Yasmin. “Jonthan Swift as Satirist.” 2019, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337951193_Jonthan_Swift_as_Satirist. Accessed 2 November 2022.
• Ehrenpreis, Irvin. “Swift and Satire.” College English, vol. 13, no. 6, 1952, pp. 309–12. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/371783. Accessed 3 Nov. 2022.

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