Restoration and 18th century unit A prelude to Swift SATIRE review Restoration and 18th century unit A prelude to Swift

What is satire? the use of irony, derision, or wit to attack a social institution; it reveals flaws and intends to move the reader/viewer/listener to action. Satire is used in many works of literature to show foolishness or vice in humans, organizations, or even governments It uses sarcasm, ridicule, or irony. For example, satire is often used to effect political or social change, or to prevent it. Satire can be used in a part of a work or it can be used throughout an entire work.

Purpose and techniques of satire Dissatisfaction with how things are– to elicit change NOT constructive advice—rather an expose of folly EXAGGERATION Not objective Expose errors and absurdities that we no longer notice because custom and familiarity have blinded us to them.

More satire information Can be fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama Invective=name-calling Parody-mocking imitation of a writer’s style or a particular genre. Often the style is applied to a trivial subject MAKE WAY FOR ROMANTICISM Parody- Pope’s “Rape of the Lock” – epic parody, Don Quixote parodies medieval romance Think back to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales– Miller and Reeve

Alexander Pope

Jonathan Swift

Who was Mr. Swift? Anglo- Irishman Poor, but educated Priest “fated to live in Ireland” Did not write for fame or money—he published most of his works anonymously. His goal in writing…to improve human conduct, to make people decent and human Gulliver’s Travels Pro-Irish in writing -Anglo-Irishmen- people who lived in Ireland but regard selves as more British than Irish poor, but uncle pays for his education Obtains a master’s degree from Oxford, ordained as priest in Church of Ireland, which is affiliated with Church of England Really wanted a career in England but seemed fated to live in Ireland which he described as a cultural desert inhabited by Roman Catholic natives and Scottish Presbyterian immigrants—people whom Swift neither respected or admired GT attacks different varieties of human misbehaviors, vice and folly - Pro Irish in writings—defends the Irish against the oppressive British politics

Context of “A Modest Proposal” No one is listening to his solutions to problems in Ireland- Harvests poor Farmers can’t pay rent Beggars and starving children SO…. He writes a pamphlet that provides an outrageous solution to famine and human misery in hopes that by using shocking satire, English society would become conscious of its unspeakable wrongs and correct them. Published in 1729

How did he do it? Swift risks being seen as a monster himself in order to expose the “monstrous behavior” of others. Persuasive techniques used- Logos Ethos Pathos Verbal irony Voice- practice economic planner Protesting against a “statistical view of humanity” Swift pretends to be objective, full of common sense, sensitive and kind Statistical view of humanity—reduces people to breeders and babies to meat