Jonathan Swift: 1667-1745 Born in Dublin, Ireland. At 19, he was employed by Sir William Temple, a powerful English statesman. Tutored 8-year-old Esther “Stella” Johnson. Developed Ménière’s Syndrome, a disturbance of the inner ear.; aphasia 1694: Became Deacon and later Priest in Dublin

Biography cont’d. 1696: Returned to Temple’s service. Temple died in1699. Swift held series of clerical jobs in Ireland. 1704: Wrote Tale of the Tub: satire on corruptions in religion and learning. Also Battle of the Books, a mock-epic on the debate between Ancients and Moderns.

Biography cont’d. 1707: Involved with The Tatler. Uses pseudonym Issac Bickerstaff. 1720: Involved with Irish causes. 1729: Wrote “A Modest Proposal.” 1726: Wrote Gulliver’s Travels. 1742: Established site for insane asylum (St. Patrick’s Hospital). Never married, despite lifelong affair w/ ‘Stella’.

Literary Style Was considered Britain’s greatest satirist Famous as Irish poet, pamphleteer, satirist and wit Educated at Trinity College Achieved literary fame and high standing in the Church Wanted a political career but never achieved it Was Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin for 30yrs Considered master of Horatian & Juvenalian satire Favorite literary weapon was IRONY Considered a master of clear and simple writing Buried in Ireland as an Irish patriot

Background – “A Modest Proposal” Published in 1729 as a pamphlet (popular literary form at time) At the time, Ireland (not an independent country) was far poorer than England. Most people born there were Roman Catholic and employed as tenant farmers. The landowners (landlords) were paid from produce of the land at rates which workers could rarely afford. The ruling class were usually Protestants, many of them not born in Ireland nor did they live there permanently.

Background cont’d. If the laborers lost their work, there would always be other poor people to take up the job. There was no social security system and starvation was as common as it is in Third World countries today. It had been known that some Irish people had been driven to cannibalism. Swift was deeply angered and disappointed at the lack of response and indifference of the Irish people to change/improve their lives.

Themes – A Modest Proposal Irish Complacency/Inaction Swift condemned the Irish for not acting on their own behalf to change their situation Past Politics (Prejudice against the Irish) England enacted laws preventing Irish from buying real estate; preventing Irish from holding government office; limiting education Exploitation of the Irish (Greed) Over-taxation of Irish by English/rich Irish landowners