Post on 05-Dec-2014
description
1667-1745
A MODEST PROPOSAL
Jonathan Swift
Childhood
Born November 30th 1667Born in Dublin, IrelandFather was an Englishman Mother was Abigail ErickFather died suddenly before his was born and
while his sister was a babyGrew up fatherless and depended on his
uncles
Education
1673-Attended Kilkenny School at age 6. Was the best school at the time
1682-Trinity College at fifteen. Achieved his Bachelor of Arts in February 1686, by special favour.
Wanted to pursue his M.A. at Trinity but was forced to flee to England to live with his mother’s relative, Sir William Temple
Became Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Career
Acted as a secretary to Temple Returned twice to Ireland in his time at
England. During the second time he was ordained priest in January 1695, and within weeks was appointed vicar of Kilroot.
Came to intellectual maturity at Moor Park, where meeting Esther Johnson.
Career
1692- Received M.A. at University of Oxford.Between 1691-1694 wrote many poems, notably
six odes.1696-1699 wrote A Tale of a Tub. Had three
parts to it: the Tale which was a satire challenging “the numerous and gross corruptions in religion and learning”; the “Battle of the Books”; and the “Discourse Concerning the Mechanical Operation of the Spirit,” which ridiculed the manner of worship and preaching of religious enthusiasts during that time.
Jonathan Swift
Swift died on October 19, 1745. He wrote a Latin epitaph for himself, which
Yeats translated into English:
Swift sailed into his rest;Savage indignation there
Cannot lacerate his breast.Imitate him if you dare,
World-besotted traveller; heServed human liberty.
Major Concepts
Jonathan used satire to call attention to the social and political state of Ireland at his time.
A Modest Proposal is a satirical work about the poverty in Ireland
Gulliver’s travels is satire about the state of English politics, law system, and education
Jonathan Swift’s Major Works
In 1726 Gulliver’s Travels was published, in the same year that he visited England
In 1729 A Modest Proposal was published
A Modest Proposal
Ireland was going through a really bad timeOverpopulation, poverty, abuse, malnutritionSwift writes a satirical piece suggesting the
eating of childrenSwift wanted to bring attention to the poverty
of his countryIf someone was seriously considering
cannibalism to fix Ireland’s problems, the situation must be really bad
He had 7 “good” reasons:
A Modest Proposal
People who don’t have a lot of money would have something of their own to sell
People who have a lot of children would be able to sell/eat them
People can have children without having to worry about feeding/caring for them
Cooks would become experienced in another dish Men would be more respectful towards their wives as
they are bearing their way of making money Mothers would be more respectful to their children
because they get more money the healthier they are People will pay more money for something unique and
different
Gulliver’s Travels
In 1720 he began Gulliver's Travels, which intended, as he said in a letter to Alexander Pope, "to vex the world, not to divert it."
Quotes
“A boy or girl before twelve years old, is no saleable commodity; and even when they come to this age, they will not yield above three pounds...”
“The charge of nutriment and rags, having been at least four times that value...”
“Tenants will have something valuable of their own, which, by lay, may be made liable to distress, and help to pay their landlord’s rent; their corn and cattle being already seized and money a thing unknown”
Key Terms
BeggarsHelpless infantsThievesSell themselvesSaleable commodityDelicious, nourishing, and
wholesomeNew dish
Key Terms
The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own
Dressing it to perfection Inducement to marriage Rewards Men would become as fond of their wives, during
the time of their pregnancy Fear of miscarriage The goods being entirely of our own growth and
manufacture
Views on Society
In our group we took this satire to mean he wanted to bring attention to lower class’ and to poverty
Thinks that people don’t pay enough attention to what is happening around them
Need to come together in society more than they do
Interesting Points
Comedic yet effective way to bring attention to such a serious issue
Gulliver’s travels: An interesting way to portray England’s society; nobody seems to know what is going on
Impact at the time
He brought serious matters in a way that people could sit down and read with humor
Although many people likely brushed it aside, it was made to make people think and be uncomfortable by it
It was a very controversial subject, especially within government because for a long time, lower classes and people living in poverty had no attention
Some people likely took note and tried to do something about it
Hip Hop Rendition of A Modest Proposalhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Yf0LH8FtHAc
Sources:
http://www.victorianweb.org/previctorian/swift/bio.html