Assignment : The Work I Liked Most from the Neo-Classical Literature : 'A Modest Proposal' by Sir Jonathan Swift.
☆ Brief Introduction to Jonathan Swift Esquire :
Sir Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)
Dr Jonathan Swift (November 30, 1667 – October 19, 1745) was an Anglo-Irish priest, essayist, political writer, and poet, considered the foremost satirist in the English language. Swift's fiercely ironic novels and essays, including world classics such as 'Gulliver's Travels' and 'The Tale of the Tub,' were immensely popular in his own time for their ribald humor and imaginative insight into human nature. Swift's object was to expose corruption and express political and social criticism through indirection. His father, an attorney, also named Jonathan Swift, died just two months before he arrived. Without steady income, his mother struggled to provide for her newborn. Moreover, Swift was a sickly child. It was later discovered that he suffered from Meniere's Disease, a condition of the inner ear that leaves the afflicted nauseous and hard of hearing.
In 1727, Swift visited England for the last time. He was declared mentally incompetent in 1742 and died in October 1745, leaving his estate to charity.
In 1727, Swift visited England for the last time. He was declared mentally incompetent in 1742 and died in October 1745, leaving his estate to charity.
☆ Definition & Various Types of Satire :
▪︎ Merriem-Webster Dictionary defines 'Satire' as :
"a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn."
▪︎ Cambridge English Dictionary :
"a way of criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way, or a piece of writing or play that uses this style."
▪︎ According to 'Glossary of Literary Terms' by M. H. Abrams & Geoffrey Galt Harpham :
" “Satire” can be described as the literary art of diminishing or derogating a
subject by making it ridiculous and evoking toward it attitudes of amusement, contempt, scorn, or indignation."
▪︎ Merriem-Webster Dictionary defines 'Satire' as :
"a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn."
▪︎ Cambridge English Dictionary :
"a way of criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way, or a piece of writing or play that uses this style."
▪︎ According to 'Glossary of Literary Terms' by M. H. Abrams & Geoffrey Galt Harpham :
" “Satire” can be described as the literary art of diminishing or derogating a
subject by making it ridiculous and evoking toward it attitudes of amusement, contempt, scorn, or indignation."
▪︎ Types of Satire :
(1) Horatian Satire :
The term 'Horatian satire' is named after the Roman satirist Horace (first century BCE) who gently ridiculed the dominant opinions and beliefs of Ancient Rome and Greece with humor and clever mockery. Horatian satirists are tolerant, indulgent, amused and witty, and ridicule the follies and absurdities of the human beings. Instead of attacking the vices in the society, this satire ridicules common human follies so that the readers may identify with these follies and laugh at them. Thus, Horatian satire is not as harsh and abrasive as Juvenalian satire. In Horatian satire, the satirist’s goal is to heal a situation with laughter, rather than with anger. 'Gulliver's Travels' can be considered as an example of Horatian satire as well. For example, when Gulliver is in Lilliput, he learns that people are appointed to office based on their ability to walk a tightrope. He is satirizing the way that the English nobility of his day chose based on bloodlines and connection to the court.
(2) Juvenalian Satire :
Named after the ancient Roman satirist Juvenal, Juvenalian Satire is a formal satire which attacks the vice and error in society with contempt and indignation. Juvenalian Satire uses strong irony and sarcasm, and is more harsh and abrasive than Horatian satire. 'Gulliver’s Travels' (1726) established Jonathan Swift as the master of Juvenalian satire.
'A Modest Proposal' by Swift fall under this category of satire.
(3) Menippean Satire :
This form of satire was invented in ancient Greece by the philosopher Menippus of Gadara in the early 3rd century BC, who was called 'a joker about serious things' (Highet 36). Frye adds, uses 'extraordinary situations for the provoking and testing of a philosophical idea' and such situations include 'scandal scenes, eccentric behaviour, inappropriate speeches and performances' as the protagonists in Menippean satire 'ascend into heaven, descend into the nether world, wander through unknown and fantastic lands, are placed in extraordinary life situations'. Menippean satire often takes place in the kind of alternate worlds that William Empson termed the pastoral — and hence 'often includes elements of social utopia which are incorporated in the form of dreams or journeys to unknown lands; sometimes the menippea grows outright into utopian novels'. Modern narrative fiction in the Menippean tradition concentrates on theme rather than plot and deals with big and baffling intellectual concerns. It displays extraordinary erudition but often lacks unity and consistency, blending the serious and the comic, the high and the low. Menippean fictions, which often employ multiple narrative voices, are skeptical of any established authority and advocate the priority of common sense against the tyranny of false and dogmatic theories. Menippean satire appears in a great number of both ancient and modern literary works.
☆ 'A Modest Proposal' as a Juvenalian Satire :
(1) Horatian Satire :
The term 'Horatian satire' is named after the Roman satirist Horace (first century BCE) who gently ridiculed the dominant opinions and beliefs of Ancient Rome and Greece with humor and clever mockery. Horatian satirists are tolerant, indulgent, amused and witty, and ridicule the follies and absurdities of the human beings. Instead of attacking the vices in the society, this satire ridicules common human follies so that the readers may identify with these follies and laugh at them. Thus, Horatian satire is not as harsh and abrasive as Juvenalian satire. In Horatian satire, the satirist’s goal is to heal a situation with laughter, rather than with anger. 'Gulliver's Travels' can be considered as an example of Horatian satire as well. For example, when Gulliver is in Lilliput, he learns that people are appointed to office based on their ability to walk a tightrope. He is satirizing the way that the English nobility of his day chose based on bloodlines and connection to the court.
(2) Juvenalian Satire :
Named after the ancient Roman satirist Juvenal, Juvenalian Satire is a formal satire which attacks the vice and error in society with contempt and indignation. Juvenalian Satire uses strong irony and sarcasm, and is more harsh and abrasive than Horatian satire. 'Gulliver’s Travels' (1726) established Jonathan Swift as the master of Juvenalian satire.
'A Modest Proposal' by Swift fall under this category of satire.
(3) Menippean Satire :
This form of satire was invented in ancient Greece by the philosopher Menippus of Gadara in the early 3rd century BC, who was called 'a joker about serious things' (Highet 36). Frye adds, uses 'extraordinary situations for the provoking and testing of a philosophical idea' and such situations include 'scandal scenes, eccentric behaviour, inappropriate speeches and performances' as the protagonists in Menippean satire 'ascend into heaven, descend into the nether world, wander through unknown and fantastic lands, are placed in extraordinary life situations'. Menippean satire often takes place in the kind of alternate worlds that William Empson termed the pastoral — and hence 'often includes elements of social utopia which are incorporated in the form of dreams or journeys to unknown lands; sometimes the menippea grows outright into utopian novels'. Modern narrative fiction in the Menippean tradition concentrates on theme rather than plot and deals with big and baffling intellectual concerns. It displays extraordinary erudition but often lacks unity and consistency, blending the serious and the comic, the high and the low. Menippean fictions, which often employ multiple narrative voices, are skeptical of any established authority and advocate the priority of common sense against the tyranny of false and dogmatic theories. Menippean satire appears in a great number of both ancient and modern literary works.
☆ 'A Modest Proposal' as a Juvenalian Satire :
As we have seen the three major types of 'Satire,' 'A Modest Proposal - For preventing the Children of Poor People From being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and For making them Beneficial to the Publick' (1729) is a satirical work written by famous essayist and satirist Dr Jonathan Swift who is a Neoclassical author as well.
In his satirical essay 'A Modest Proposal,' Swift satirizes impoverished economic condition of the 18th century Ireland. He focuses on poor condition of the destitute children and people victimized by the hollow government policies. He cynically gives advice to sell children over a year's age in order to be slaughtered like an innocent animal for the wicked and barbarous appetites of the facetious upper class of 18th century England. Superficial manners and pompous nature were the characteristic qualities found in then England society, thus satire was indeed to be penned upon such follies, not in a Horatian way but with the flair of Juvenalian Satire.
Swift suggest that the poor progeny of Ireland should sell their children to the rich class and get some money for subsistence. This satirical hyperbole mocked heartless attitudes towards the poor, predominately Irish Catholic (i.e., "Papists") as well as British policy toward the Irish in general :
"I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection.
I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust."
Swift further shows the abuse of prostitution and the pervert social mentality towards such births that people of his era wanted to hide, which in our country as well, especially at rural level, is ostentaciously observed due to the horror of abortion and the idea of illegitimate child - all these can be seen in so-called well-mannered Neoclassical society of the 18th century England :
"There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expence than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast."
The essay is widely held to be one of the greatest examples of sustained irony. Sustained Irony is a type of Irony in which the effect of irony is created by number of statements by the whole text. This type of irony is formed by the contrast of the speaker's or writer's considerations and the generally accepted moral views.
Another type of irony that is verbal irony is skillfully employed by Swift in the essay as he deliberately advises to sell children for their flesh ang goes on counting the 6 or more benefits that poor and society can get by doing so which suggests the anguish of the writer presented through the fine use of verbal irony.
"I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection.
I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust."
Swift further shows the abuse of prostitution and the pervert social mentality towards such births that people of his era wanted to hide, which in our country as well, especially at rural level, is ostentaciously observed due to the horror of abortion and the idea of illegitimate child - all these can be seen in so-called well-mannered Neoclassical society of the 18th century England :
"There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expence than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast."
The essay is widely held to be one of the greatest examples of sustained irony. Sustained Irony is a type of Irony in which the effect of irony is created by number of statements by the whole text. This type of irony is formed by the contrast of the speaker's or writer's considerations and the generally accepted moral views.
Another type of irony that is verbal irony is skillfully employed by Swift in the essay as he deliberately advises to sell children for their flesh ang goes on counting the 6 or more benefits that poor and society can get by doing so which suggests the anguish of the writer presented through the fine use of verbal irony.
▪︎ Six Advantages in 'A Modest Proposal' :
The often cited and discussed 'six advantages' achieved by selling the children for their fresh and nutritious flesh are as follow :
According to the speaker, his plan would :
(1) Reduce the number of Catholics.
(2) Give the poor a tangible asset.
(3) Aid the economy and introduce a new food.
(4) Decrease the time “breeders” have to raise children.
(5) Improve taverns’ business.
(6) Encourage marriage.
The often cited and discussed 'six advantages' achieved by selling the children for their fresh and nutritious flesh are as follow :
According to the speaker, his plan would :
(1) Reduce the number of Catholics.
(2) Give the poor a tangible asset.
(3) Aid the economy and introduce a new food.
(4) Decrease the time “breeders” have to raise children.
(5) Improve taverns’ business.
(6) Encourage marriage.
▪︎ Full Text Essay :
https://www.owleyes.org/text/modest-proposal/read/modest-proposal-by-dr-jonathan-swift#root-422325-1
https://www.owleyes.org/text/modest-proposal/read/modest-proposal-by-dr-jonathan-swift#root-422325-1
☆ Critical Appreciation of the Essay :
》 "Swift hated the English exploitation of his native country and began writing essays in support of Ireland in 1720, culminating in "A Modest Proposal" in 1729. While he sometimes argued that the Irish were also partially to blame for Ireland's problems, he believed that the English were responsible for essentially destroying Ireland's economy and culture."
— Wesley, Owl Eyes Editor
》"By exaggerating the utility of eating babies and the exact benefit and way of eating children, the author further points to the inadequacy of the wealthy's ability to address poverty in Ireland."
— Henry Huynh
》 "Swift hated the English exploitation of his native country and began writing essays in support of Ireland in 1720, culminating in "A Modest Proposal" in 1729. While he sometimes argued that the Irish were also partially to blame for Ireland's problems, he believed that the English were responsible for essentially destroying Ireland's economy and culture."
— Wesley, Owl Eyes Editor
》"By exaggerating the utility of eating babies and the exact benefit and way of eating children, the author further points to the inadequacy of the wealthy's ability to address poverty in Ireland."
— Henry Huynh
☆ Technicality, Mood & Literary Devices used in the Essay :
Jonathan Swift uses a number of rhetorical devices effectively as he highlights his proposal. He uses logical fallacies, metaphors, repetition and parallelism as well as humor, sarcasm and satire tone to highlight these negative attitudes.
Swift uses the literary devices of satire, imagery, hyperbole, wordplay, irony, and paralipsis. Swift does this by utilizing a satirical tone while also using verbal irony and pathos to make his point.
☆ Conclusion :
At the conclusion, we beheld the 'modest vituperation' of Swift directed towards contemporary Irish & English society; alongside we glimpsed the Indian socio-economic condition with special reference to the abuse of abortion resulted from prostitution which eventually results into the worst patriarchal mentality as well as the child-labour and impoverished condition of Indian labour. Here are some statistical evidence to demonstrate how backward we are in the matter of abolition of poverty in India :
Jonathan Swift uses a number of rhetorical devices effectively as he highlights his proposal. He uses logical fallacies, metaphors, repetition and parallelism as well as humor, sarcasm and satire tone to highlight these negative attitudes.
Swift uses the literary devices of satire, imagery, hyperbole, wordplay, irony, and paralipsis. Swift does this by utilizing a satirical tone while also using verbal irony and pathos to make his point.
☆ Conclusion :
At the conclusion, we beheld the 'modest vituperation' of Swift directed towards contemporary Irish & English society; alongside we glimpsed the Indian socio-economic condition with special reference to the abuse of abortion resulted from prostitution which eventually results into the worst patriarchal mentality as well as the child-labour and impoverished condition of Indian labour. Here are some statistical evidence to demonstrate how backward we are in the matter of abolition of poverty in India :
Thank You!
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☆ References :
https://pediaa.com/what-is-horatian-satire/
https://www.ipl.org/essay/Critical-Analysis-Of-Jonathan-Swifts-A-Modest-FCFJLXUHNAU
https://blog.reedsy.com/what-is-irony/
¤ (Total Paragraphs : 52)
☆ References :
https://pediaa.com/what-is-horatian-satire/
https://www.ipl.org/essay/Critical-Analysis-Of-Jonathan-Swifts-A-Modest-FCFJLXUHNAU
https://blog.reedsy.com/what-is-irony/
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