Page 310 - DENG502_PROSE

Prose

Notes 28.2 Summary

• Jonathan Swift engages scholars and students a like with the outstanding range of his
writing. Whether one reads his political pamphlets, journalistic pieces, allusive satires on
religious and political topics, intimate and direct letters, or entertaining and pungently ironic
poetry, his intelligence, wit, and creativity shine clearly through. The memorable prose pieces
of Gulliver’s Travels,
• “A Tale of a Tub, “ Battle of the Books,” and “A Modest Proposal” remain at the forefront
of any discussion concerning satire, irony, the mock-epic, the errors of human nature, the
value of classical traditions, and literary portraits of starvation and poverty.
• Thoughts on Various Subjects, Moral and Diverting is the title of a satirical essay by Jonathan
Swift. It also has appeared under the title Thoughts on Various Subjects. It consists of a series
of short epigrams or apothegms with no particular connections between them.
• Jonathan Swift wrote “Thoughts on Various Subject, Moral and Diverting” in this work was
the profound epigraph: “When a true genius appears in the world you may know him by
this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.” Ostensibly, John Kennedy
Toole derived the title of his book, A Confederacy of Dunces, from Swift’s quotation.
Furthermore, the major purpose of the book is to further this philosophical musing of Swift’s
mind.

• In [Swift’s] works, he has given very different specimens both of sentiment and expression.
His “Tale of a Tub” has little resemblance to his other pieces. It exhibits a vehemence and
rapidity of mind, a copiousness of images, and vivacity of diction, such as he afterwards
never possessed, or never exerted. It is of a mode so distinct and peculiar, that it must be
considered by itself; what is true of that, is not true of any thing else which he has written.
• Rhetoricians of all genres utilize the same elements to further their own purpose in writing
and oration. Everything in life is an argument; therefore, everyone is obligated to analyze
arguments presented and discover maxims to live life by. Miguel de Cervantes once said,
“Truth indeed rather alleviates than hurts, and will always bear up against falsehood, as oil
does above water.

28.3. Key-Words

1. Eccentricity : In popular usage, eccentricity (also called quirkiness or kookiness) refers to
unusual or odd behavior on the part of an individual. This behavior would
typically be perceived as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably
maladaptive.
2. Irrationality : Irrationality is cognition, thinking, talking or acting without inclusion of
rationality. It is more specifically described as an action or opinion given
through inadequate use of reason, emotional distress, or cognitive deficiency.
The term is used, usually pejoratively, to describe thinking and actions that
are, or appear to be, less useful, or more illogical than other more rational
alternatives.

28.4 Review Questions

1. Discuss style and genre presented in Swift’s works.
2. Critically examine Swifts views on Thoughts on various subjects.

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