Jonathan Swift as a satirist at the point of view of R. J. Rees

 

Jonathan Swift:-

                   Jonathan Swift was a well known satirist of his time. His satirical writing, in prose and verse is inspired by a general hatred of Mankind. Yet he was known in life for his kindness to his friends, and his untiring and unselfish work for the sick and poor people of Ireland. His suffering and his own frustration caused him to see the world as a place ruled by criminal lunatics. Fortunately, Swift's moral indignation was equalled by his wit and inventiveness: he was able to tell the most ridiculous stories and make the most outrageous jokes while appearing utterly serious.

                 His most popular work was Gulliver's Travel, which is the most famous of all satires. It was published in 1726, it contains Captain Gulliver's story of four seperate voyages;

1. Lilliput
2. Brobdingnage
3. Laputa
4. The land of Houyhnhms

                 It contains full irony. It is one of the most powerful attack against man's wickedness and stupidity, is now thought of by most people as a charming fairy tale for young children.

                 The character of Gulliver himself is one of Swift's cleverest invention; a decent, practical and patriotic. Yet somehow at same time stupid, credulous and gullible. Wherever he goes he is always eager to show his devotion to his own country and his willingness to bring benefits of civilization to other less enlightened people. For instance, in the fourth voyage, he is surprised at his host's ignorance of art of war as practised in 'civilized' countries.

                The character of this SELF- SATISFIED  traveller is a key to the whole book. 

               Swift's invective genius is seen equally in his descriptions of the countries Gulliver visited. He had invented many incidents, amusing in themselves yet capable of carrying satirical meaning. Even the proper names in Gulliver demonstrate Swift's wit.

            Almost every later satirist has been influenced by Swift. Negative utopias modelled on Gulliver's Travel have included many which are now forgotten, as well as important books like, Erewhon, Brave new World and Nineteen Eighty - Four. But no other English writer had observed the nastiness of mankind with such disgust, or attacked it with such anger. He was in almost every respect a tragic figure.