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"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift, 2006.
A review of Jonathan Swift's famous essay entitled "A Modest Proposal".
928 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 0 sources, $ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews and discusses the essay "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift. According to the paper, in this essay, Swift reveals his beliefs about how art is a force that can be used to bring change and that all humans should have an understanding of what the truth is. The paper goes on to say that it is Swift's art that allows him to manipulate the truth for his purposes.
From the Paper
"Swift has artfully prepared the audience by appealing to logic and ethics so that his proposal does not seem so barbaric. The way he states the "truth" of his argument leads the reader to believe that the plan makes sense. "A young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing and wholesome food" (Swift). The audience is supposed to accept this fact as truth and Swift has manipulated his audience in advance to make it seem almost logical. From this point forward, his argument and justification of the plan become increasingly outrageous when read with a sensible eye. However, Swift uses the power of logic to make his truth here seem like the truth. "
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Jonathan Swift's Use of Satire, 2006.
An in depth discussion of Johnathan Swift, and his use of satire within his works and criticisms.
920 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
This essay explores Jonathan Swift's use of satire as exemplified in several of his works. The author proposes that Swift used satire in order to criticize the aristocrats and governments prevalent within early 18th century England and Ireland. Also considered are Swift's personal background, his emotional state and the historical context in which he lived and their contribution to his sardonic style.
From the Paper
"By definition, satire; as it pertains to literature, is a work in which wickedness, vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit (American Heritage Dictionary). However, after reading the quote I have provided on the title page, you can see that Swift's view of satire embodies a complexity that our modern day dictionaries simply cannot encapsulate. Swift's famous quote on satire challenges people to think of the ways in which we conceive our identities; usually by making comparisons and contrasts with others. Yet, in our most deeply buried layers of character, there are visions of the "other" by which we anchor our separateness; our notion of discrete identity. It is within Swift's infamous text; A Modest Proposal, that we see his complex views of satire utilized in creating an essay that ambiguously criticized the aristocrats, and governments prevalent within early 18th century England and Ireland."
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The Works of Dryden and Swift, 2004.
Looks at the presentation of reason in the works of writers John Dryden and Jonathan Swift.
886 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
The neo-classical age in which both John Dryden and Jonathan Swift penned their most noteworthy prose is often also called ?The Age of Reason.? However, although this valorization of reason and rationality may be a fair characterization of much of the Age of Human Enlightenment, Dryden and Swift do not deploy nor valorize reason in the same fashion. This paper shows that, for Dryden, reason is the key to humanity?s connection with the Divine and political freedom. In comparison, it shows that, in Swift?s social and religious satires, human confidence in its rationality is just as absurd as overconfidence in human religious, political, and social institutions to create just and fair societies.
From the Paper
"Again, reason is the highest and best form of creation, and the parallel political figures satirized and defamed within the poem are those who are irrational and bad, rather than irrational and good. Dryden has faith in the concrete actions of God, where, ?Heav'n punishes the bad, and proves the best.? (44) In the Biblical account of King David the poet dramatizes in the poem, the justice of God is rational, and thus good, as opposed to the irrational modes humans deploy on occasion to understand God, and the irrational and lustful actions of some Biblical figures. Ultimately, in the last sentence of the poem, David is restored to the throne because he is ?God-like? in his goodness.?"
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The Writings of Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope, 2003.
Discusses the misanthropic views of authors Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope in several of their works.
2,413 words (approx. 9.7 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 73.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the misanthropic (people-hating) tendencies of Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope through the use of Swift's works "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal" and Pope's "The Rape of the Lock". The paper examines the reflection of English society in Gulliver, as well as points out Swift's hatred towards England in "A Modest Proposal". The author also discusses Pope's more subtle misanthropy as seen in certain portions of "The Rape of the Lock".
From the Paper
"?[I] strove to conceal my antipathy against humankind, although it often broke out? (2468) This from Jonathan Swift?s Gulliver?s Travels, a book in which it is obvious that the narrator directly reflects the author?s feelings in many of its passages. Swift and another author of the time, Alexander Pope, often wrote with a penchant for social commentary. While many authors (I daresay most authors) write with a certain amount of political or ideological undertones, Swift and Pope were fairly blatant in their dislike of humanity and its morals (or lack thereof). At least, this seems to be the case in all of the works, by these authors, that I have read thus far. It is not coincidental that Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope were both misanthropic?they were fairly close friends. In a letter to Pope, Swift is said to have wrote that he hated: "?that animal called man? in general, and offering a new definition of the species as not animal rationale (?a rational animal?) but as merely animal rationis capax (?an animal capable of reason?). This, he declared, is the ?great foundation? on which his ?misanthropy? was erected." (2299) Swift and Pope have very different writing styles, but both are extremely critical of mankind. Swift?s Gulliver?s Travels and ?A Modest Proposal? and Pope?s ?Rape of the Lock? are each ripe with scathing social commentaries. These works are particularly illustrative of their respective authors? misanthropic mindsets."
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Jonathan Swift?s ?A Modest Proposal?, 2005.
This paper analyzes Jonathan Swift?s pamphlet, ?A Modest Proposal?, a satirical attack on the English for their inhumane treatment of the Irish in the 18th century.
920 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Swift effectively parodies the cruel arrogance of the English and the submissiveness of the Irish parliament by presenting a horrific solution in well-reasoned and economically sound terms. The author points out that, instead of direct polemical criticism, Swift uses irony and parody to draw attention to the desperate conditions facing the poor of Ireland. The paper relates that the presenter employs pseudo-scientific statistics to make his argument appear more logical than it really is, thus creating the illusion of scientific certainty and reason by quoting numbers.
From the Paper
"The pamphlet is a bold satire that excites the passion of readers even today, over two hundred years after it was written. Suggesting that the Irish poor eat their babies and thus make them beneficial to society is a point sure to demand attention. It works as a satire because the proposal is made with such a straight and sincere face. The narrator presents himself as a reasonable and humanitarian man."
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Swift, Blake and Social Hegemony, 2008.
This paper discusses challenges to social hegemony in the works "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift and "London" by William Blake.
1,381 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer maintains that the argument that the "purpose of good literature" is not - as Sir Philip Sidney argued - "to teach, to delight" and "move to virtuous action" but to challenge social hegemony by destabilizing its core values is a controversial one. This essay argues the thesis, with reference to Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" and William Blake's "London", that while literary works are not simply political statement or social criticism, good literary works nonetheless engage with their cultural context in a critical and complex way. As is seen, while both Swift's and Blake's works have clear political and social dimensions, it is their literary qualities that give them their potency as powerful social critiques.
From the Paper
"This being said, it may be argued that this view of literature is simplistic and limited in many respects. Literary works are not created in a vacuum but instead, capture their audiences by their engagement with the social contexts in which they are created. However, unlike political tracts or social critiques which are rarely remembered beyond the immediate circumstances in which they were created, good literature resonates beyond its immediate context - even when it has a clear political or social purpose - due to the power of its writing. This power allows these works to transcend the particulars of the social order they criticize or destabilize, and reflect something of the universal in humanity's social constructions."
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William Wordsworth and Jonathan Swift, 2004.
This paper provides a comparison and contrast of how William Wordsworth and Jonathan Swift both promote changing the world in their writings.
678 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 23.95
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Abstract
The paper compares and contrasts how William Wordsworth and Jonathan Swift promote changing the world in their respective writings. The paper discusses Wordsworth's "Tintern Abbey" and Swift's "Gulliver's Travels."
From the Paper
"Both Jonathan Swift and William Wordsworth are writers who hope to change the world through the ideas and themes expressed in their writings. So too, both authors believe that human beings need to look to a higher authority to bring out the best in human nature. Swift ,a pre-enlightenment writer, believed that humans and institutions are fallible but that the negative tendencies inherent in humans require institutions to undermine these negative impulses; sin, deception, cruelty, vanity etc."
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The Satire of Jonathan Swift, 2002.
This paper analyzes the works "Predictions for the year 1708" and "The Accomplishment of the First of Mr. Bickerstaff?s Predictions" by Jonathan Swift.
1,334 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
The writer discusses the way in which Swift used a variety of satirical techniques, such as incongruity, sarcasm and exaggeration, in order to capture the deception of almanac-makers and astrologists who pretended to make accurate predictions of the forthcoming year in their annual publications. The paper brings examples from Swift's works to illustrate how his satire was successful through the use of realism.
From the Paper
"A versatile satirist, Swift considered it his duty to attack signs of "sin and folly" (qtd. in Mayhew 271). In "Predictions," under the guise of his creation, Mr. Bickerstaff, Swift pinpointed the vagueness and ambivalence of the almanac-makers? predictions that could be interpreted as accurate in any circumstance. For example, according to Bickerstaff, a prediction such as "This Month a certain great Person will be threatened with Death, or Sickness," did not require any astrological skills since there were many old distinguished people who were bound to die during the "sickliest Season of the Year" (Swift 427). Furthermore, it is also likely that Swift targeted the almanac-makers because of their important position in the eyes of rich and prominent Gentlemen in the country. These gentlemen who held the reins of power in Parliament actually anticipated the occurrences of public events by using these almanacs. Others allowed their engagements to be dictated by the predictions (Swift 427)."
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A Swift Attack on the British Government, 2004.
A look at Jonathan Swift's proposals for social reform in his book, "A Modest Proposal".
903 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how, in his work, "A Modest Proposal", Swift reflects the plight of the stereotypical poor Irish Catholic back upon the reader with intentions of provoking antipathy, while remaining totally practical throughout the piece. It discusses how the true victim of his attacks, besides the children, is the hypocrisy of the oppressive English governing body and how, by laying out his proposal and its benefits in clear terms, Swift attempts to appeal to the morality of the reader in the most unorthodox of ways, begging for social reform; his satirical wit and use of dramatic irony attacks the idiosyncrasies of British government that led to the conditions that plagued Ireland in the early 18th century.
From the Paper
"Swift?s proposal for social reform, on the surface, is a simple one: the thousands of children born of the poor Irish Catholic mothers should be bred and sold solely to be killed and eaten. Right from the beginning, Swift paints a dreary scene of the life of an Irish peasant. The narrator then continues, calmly and rationally, statistically justifying his outrageous scheme and its benefits to all. First, the eating of the poor children would foremost alleviate the overpopulation of ?the papists? (Irish Catholics). Second, the ?production? of such valuable commodities can be used to barter for rent, and increase the quality of life for the poverty-stricken families. Third, the state would reap the increase in revenue that would come from their sales, as well as the savings of the welfare dollars not spent on raising the children. Fourth, some women could make a healthy (and wealthy) living as child breeders."
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Jonathan Swift's Political Stands, 2006.
A discussion of the political and religious views of Jonathan Swift, an 18th century politician and author.
2,551 words (approx. 10.2 pages), 7 sources, APA, $ 77.95
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Abstract
The paper tries to determine Swift's political stance by looking at his personal goals as reflected in his writings. The paper further inspects his religious and political writings and tries to determine if he adhered to the Tory or Whig vision of church and state. The paper concludes with an examination of the reason and driving force behind Swift's political behavior and how it affected his writings.
From the Paper
"To put it simply, party politics in England during the 18th century were practiced in two different camps - Tory and Whig. Globally, the differences of opinion between the two were based on three key topics - (1) the origin of government, (2) the position of the Church in society and (3) the role England was to play in Europe. Thus, the Tories were the high-church party, which upheld the divine rights of kings, defended Anglican orthodoxy and negotiated the peace treaty of Utrecht that ended the Spanish War. The Whigs were the low-church party, supported the theory of contract between rulers and ruled, and decried the Utrecht treaty, which they attempted to block through their majority in the House of Lords. The early ministry of William III was predominantly Tory but it was gradually replaced by the Whigs. Later on, Queen Anne dismissed some Whig ministers, replaced them with Tories and created new Tory peers in order to stop the War of the Spanish Succession. From 1714 on, the Whigs gained in influence and the governments of Walpole and Pelham called themselves "Whigs". However, during the period 1714 - 1760 the Tories retained a considerable presence in the Commons."
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Jonathan Swift, 2002.
An analysis of Jonathan Swift, spokesperson of the Irish Nation's life, including a discussion of two of his main works, "The Drapier's Letters" and "A Modest Proposal".
1,779 words (approx. 7.1 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 57.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Jonathan Swift's life, providing a look at his confusing heritage, his early occupations, and a review of two of his main works, "The Drapier's Letters" and "A Modest Proposal". The paper explains that both these literary works can be dubbed satires, and this essay looks at how these satires helped the "common" person in time of political and economic strife, and took Jonathan Swift to the level of "hero" in Ireland even though he is of English descent. The paper also presents a brief look at the political and economic structure of the time.
From the Paper
"Jonathan Swift, political and social satirist of the Eighteenth Century, unwittingly became the spokesperson of the Irish nation. Although Swift was born of English parents, he was born in Ireland and ultimately lived in Ireland for most of his life, despite spending some of his younger years in England. Swift was a humanitarian angered and horrified by the acts of injustice done to the people of Ireland. From political dependence on England, to severe poverty and starvation, the people of Ireland suffered to find a voice for justice, and Jonathan Swift suffered for a cause. The two found each other and resulted in one of the greatest literary relationships in the history of satire."
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Swift and Dostoyevsky Compared, 2002.
A comparison Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" to Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "Notes from the Underground".
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 2 sources, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper will compare and contrast books by Jonathan Swift ("A Modest Proposal") and Fyodor Dostoyevsky ("Notes from the Underground"). By understanding how these two stories show the absurdity of the societies that the authors lived in, we can understand how the two different styles of satire and hard fiction can be made to show the contrast At the same time, the authors seem to invoke the dark truths that lie beneath the veneer of high society.
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Jonathan Swift's Satire, 2005.
An analysis of Jonathan Swift's treatment of satire in "Gulliver's Travels".
1,380 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 47.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Jonathan Swift's satiric treatment of war in his novel, "Gulliver's Travels" and targets of his satire including political and religious institutions and aspects of human behavior, with numerous examples from the text
From the Paper
" In Gulliver's Travels Jonathan Swift launches an elaborate satire on many aspects of human behavior as well as against the political and religious institutions of his day. His assaults against thinly veiled and therefore easily ..."
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The Portrayal of Women in Swift's Novel "Gulliver's Travels", 1999.
An analysis of the issue of whether Swift was a misogynist.
1,565 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 0 sources, $ 51.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at Swift's portrayal of women in "Gulliver's Travels" and argues that he is not misogynistic, but uses his depiction of women to provide insight into the 'otherness' of women, and for a larger picture of humanity altogether.
From the Paper
"In each of Gulliver?s adventures women are depicted as an anomalous community distinct from the social fabric. In the first two voyages, women engage in redundant, unproductive activities, and are troublemakers more than contributors in society. First, in Lilliput, a nation that specializes in scientific, mathematical measurements, and possessing a well-organized, systematic metropolis Mildendo (I.IV), women are generalized to have impressionable minds that are only capable of na?ve notions. A Maid of Honour is the culprit for the fire at the Empress Apartment (I.V), simply by ?[falling] asleep while she was reading a Romance". Also in Gulliver?s description of the Lilliputian education (I. VI), women are generalized to be credulous and engages only in fantasies."
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Literary Works of Swift, Nobuo and Xun, 2006.
A discussion on the reflection of the self and the nature of society in works by Jonathan Swift, Kojima Nobuo and Lu Xun.
1,068 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 0 sources, $ 37.95
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This paper discusses the concept of knowing others by knowing the self, as seen in the literary works by Jonathan Swift ("A Modest Proposal"), Kojima Nobuo ("The American School") and Lu Xun ("Diary of a Madman"). This paper discusses the way in which the main theme and thesis presented in the works is the reflection of the self in each of the narrator/voice of the story, which, in turn, reflects the nature of society s/he lives in.
From the Paper
""The Diary of a Madman" by Lu Xun effectively conveyed his criticism of the society's tendency to hold on to the status quo and of the government through symbolism. The Madman's madness, in fact, was the primary symbol Lu utilized to show how the society and government great influenced the individual--sometimes, detrimentally. In "Diary," the perceived madness of the Madman was actually, as explained by the Narrator, the effects of persecution complex. Looking deeper into this meaning, however, madness in the story was not only a manifestation of the persecution complex, but it also signified the Madman's paranoia as about the way his society treated and regarded him."
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