Jonathan Swift (1667--1745)

JONATHAN SWIFT Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland, of an English family, which had important connections, but little wealth. Through the generosity of an uncle, he was educated at Kilkenny Grammar School and then Trinity College in Dublin. Between 1689 and 1699, he worked as a private secretary to a distant relative named Sir William Temple, a retired diplomat. There he also received a first-rate education in politics through contact with Temple and many other well-known politicians, learning much about hypocrisy, deception, and corruption in the political world.

Swift’s Literary Position and Works Swift is considered one of the greatest masters of English prose. Swift is a master satirist. Even today, he is still regarded as a national hero in Ireland. Gulliver’s Travels (1726), is known as his greatest satiric work.

What Is Satire? Humorous, witty Clever, sarcastic Criticizes an event, person, or group To put it plainly, Swift wrote stories that made fun of the bad things that people do and the way they act to make them look ridiculous and silly in order to try to get them to change the way they live and act toward others (whew!) Modern-day examples of satire: The Onion (satirical news website); Saturday Night Live

Why Use Satire? If an author was not careful with his criticism, he could be jailed, charged with treason, and unable to print his stories for fear of the consequences Using satire, Jonathan Swift was able to tell stories about make-believe people and places -- when he was really making fun of the English government and its political figures

Introduction to Gulliver’s Travels Published in 1726 Considered fantasy because “the limits of reality are purposely disregarded” Tells about the travels of the main character, Lemuel Gulliver While we’ll just be reading excerpts from the novel the next two weeks, the actual book contains four parts, each dealing with one particular voyage during which Gulliver meets with extraordinary adventures

Lemuel Gulliver Narrator of novel Middle-aged, middle class, British Intelligent, well-educated Naïve Unaffectionate to wife A doctor on a Royal Navy ship who washes up on the shores of several fictional countries. Upon returning to England, he is suddenly painfully aware of his country’s flaws.

Mrs. Mary Burton: Mrs. Mary Burton is Gulliver's wife Mrs. Mary Burton: Mrs. Mary Burton is Gulliver's wife. He only states her name at the beginning of the novel, and thereafter refers to her as his wife. She is mentioned only during his rare time in England.

Captain William Pritchard: Captain Pritchard is the head of the ship named Antelope. He controls Gulliver's first voyage in which a storm overtakes the ship, leaving Gulliver stranded on the strange land of Lilliput.

A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT The first part tells about his experience in Lilliput Gulliver meets an emperor who believes himself to be the delight and terror of the universe, which appears quite absurd to Gulliver (who was twelve times as tall as the tiny emperor) Gulliver tells of the two parties in the country, distinguished by the use of high and low heels. Religious disputes were laughed with regard to a problem which divided the Lilliputians: “ Should eggs be broken at the big end or the little end?”

Main Characters Lilliputians Emperor Inhabit Lilliput Only 6 inches tall Prone to conspiracies and jealousies Emperor Ruler of the Lilliputians Despite small size, loves being in control, exercising his power, and his large palace

Gulliver Visits Lilliput & Meets the Lilliputians He finds that the population is split between 'Big Enders' and 'Little Enders‘ The Emperor is feisty and keen to go to war with the defecting 'Big Enders‘ The Empress, who originally likes Gulliver, is then offended when he urinates on buildings to put out a fire

A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG Second Journey to Brobdingnag In the second part, Gulliver is left alone in Brobdingnag where people are not only ten times taller and larger than ordinary human beings, but also superior in wisdom. Gulliver now finds himself a dwarf among men sixty feet in height. Gulliver is sold and used as a slave, mostly for entertainment purposes

Main Characters Brobdingnagians The Queen The King Giants that inhabit Brobdingnag Reasonable, gentle The Queen Sweet, kind Humorous, witty The King Intellectual, rational Does not know much about politics

Pre-Reading Questions 1. What does it mean to be human? 2. What is the relationship between humanity and politics? 3. What are the best parts about traveling to a new place? What are the worst? 4. What importance do you place on first impressions of people? 5. What is the most idiotic/ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard people argue about? 6. Is it better to be physically strong or mentally strong? Explain. 7. If you were asked to write a satire, what issue would you want to tackle in a humorous way, and why?