What is the Significance of satire in Augustan writing? Is i

A detailed Summary of What is the Significance of satire in Augustan writing? Is i

A satire is a literary work in which human foolishness and vice are criticised. Satire employs humour and wit to ridicule human institutions or humanity itself, in order that they might be remodelled or improved.

Jonathan Swift's 'A Modest Proposal' qualifies as a perfect example of satire according to these components. He uses satire as a potent weapon to attack governmental injustices and political abuse. In 'A Modest Proposal', Swift vents his mounting aggravation at the incompetence of Ireland's politicians, the hypocrisy of the wealthy, the domination of the English, and the squalor and degradation in which he sees so many Irish people living. While 'A Modest Proposal' complains about the bleak situation of an Ireland almost totally subject to England's exploitation, it also expresses Swift's utter disgust at the Irish people's seeming inability to mobilise on their own behalf.

Swift's opposition to the problems in Ireland are indirectly presented through the clever technique of using irony and wit. By using this method he was able to expose the remarkable corruption and degradation of the Irish people and at the same time present them with practical solutions to their unscrupulous lives. Swift uses Satire to accomplis

Many people argue that satire can be misanthropic in its approach and Swift, in particular, is a misanthropist. I believe Swifts "Gulliver's Travels" is a misanthropic of human nature as the observations on man are particularly astute and the satire specifically disturbing. Swift wrote the work in order to infuriate the world rather than divert it; he wanted to deflate human pride and consequently it has therefore been considered to be a deeply misanthropic novel. Swift was also believed to hate mankind, thus supporting my argument.

The voyage to Lilliput serves mainly to satirise the British system of selecting rulers and their general lack of democracy. In Lilliput an important office is usually filled by the applicant who can jump the highest and decorations were awarded to the best leaper and creeper, which is clearly intended to typify the way of governing at the time, where offices and favours were granted to favourites rather than to the most worthy candidate. The third journey is aimed mainly at the futile and worthless pursuits of certain sections of society, in particular pretentious intellectuals and high society. Gullivers first destination in this section is Laputa, where the inhabitants are so pretentious they each require a 'flapper' to remind them when to speak. In Lagodo, Gulliver is shown around the Academy where countless scientists are engaged in worthless pursuits. All of the experiments being conducted are highly likely to succeed and would not be of use to anyone of they did. This chapter is clearly satirising the pursuits of the 'intellectuals' but I believe it is also Swifts comment on the worthlessness of human life in general.

However, some people would argue that satire is not curative as its principle aim is to ridicule humanity or political situations, a notion that they find offensive. I agree that most forms are shocking in approach but I believe in most examples, the underlying principles are light hearted and can be taken in jest. The incorporated wit makes the attack clever and the humour makes it funny, therefore contributing to the 'healing' outcome.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Swift Satire, Lagodo Gulliver, Modest Proposal', Gulliver's Travels, Proposal' Swift, , 'a modest proposal', 'a modest, modest proposal', irish people, Jonathan Swift's, humanity political situations, degradation irish people, people argue satire, true identity, shock recognition, satire curative, satire augustan writing, degradation irish, sections society, believe swifts, worthless pursuits,

Approximate Word count = 1517
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English