Literary works of swift

1. St Xavier’s College Mahuadanr
Literary works of Jonathan Swift
From Swift’s life one can readily foresee the kind of literature he will produce. All his
works are a monstrous (extreme) satire on humanity.
His poetry
Swift’s poems were to a large extent recreations, odd versus to his friends and satires
(mockery) on his political and private enemies. He has lapses of taste when he becomes coarse
(rude) and vindictive (bitter) and sometimes his verse, through more indifference is badly strung
and colloquially (informally) expressed.
His Poems.
Ode to the Athenian society- 1691
A Description of the Morning-1709
The Progress of Love-1719
The Progress of Poetry-1720
The Furniture of a Woman’s Mind-1727
Helter Skelter-1731
Verses on the Death of Dr Swift-(1731-1732)
His prose:
Swift was the most original writer of his time and it is undeniable that he was one of the
greatest masters of English Prose. He attained a mastery of English prose and then maintained and
astonishing level of Excellence.
His first noteworthy book was:
Battle of the Books (1704)

2. The theme of this book was the dispute between ancient and modern authors. He takes part
of the Ancients who believed in the superiority of Classics and the Humanities, against the
moderns who upheld the superiority of modern science, modern scholarship, modern politics and
modern literature.
The tale of a tub (1704)
This is regarded by many as Swift’s best work which reveals his power at its highest. It is a
religious allegory (story/tale) and was intended upon defending the Anglican and Lutheran
churches. It reveals the deep irony of Swift’s satire at its best as it became a merciless dissection
of human nature in general, and of intellectual pride and religious hypocrisy in particular.
A Tale of Tub is full of wit and brilliant in its imaginative power and the incisiveness
(sharpness) of its thought. The style is brief (abrupt) and has sustained vigor (energy) rapidity and
colorfulness which Swift did not equal in his later works.
The mechanical operation of the spirit:
In this, he continues his satiric attack on religious views, and knowledge acquisition
particularly scientific knowledge.
Argument Against Abolishing Christianity:
In this he shares his reaction to church.
The Journal to Stella: (1710-1713):
It is a series of letters written by Swift to Esther Johnson. It gives usmany glimpses of
inner man: vain and arrogant, ambitious and crafty.
From a literary point of view from 1710 to 1714 was an important period of his life. He
wrote political tracts of great power for the Tories party which made him a leading political figure
of the day. Several of them were written for “The Examiner” a Tory Journal of which he was
given charge and the best known are.
The Conduct of the Allice- 1711
Some Remark on the Barrier Treaty -1712

3. The Public Spirit of the Whigs -1714
Swift was also recognized as the defender of Ireland.
A Modest Proposal 1729:
It is a reaction to English commercial practices that negatively impacted Ireland. In this
most characteristic work it is impossible to find his motive. The injustice under which Irland
suffered, perversity in raising large families to certain poverty and the Indifference of English
politicians to the suffering and his objections are all mercilessly portrayed.
The Drapier’s Letters -1724:
It is Swift’s response to the continued subjugation or suppression of England of overall
aspects of the lives of those living in Ireland. These letters aroused so much opposition that the
English offered a reward of €300 for the name of the author. Although the Irish knew that Swift
had written these letters they did not betray him. Instead they made him a national Hero.
Then followed some miscellaneous political works aimed at the improvement of the lot of
the oppressed and poverty stricken Irish people.
Gulliver’s Travels 1726:
It is written between 1722 - 1725 and published in 1726. It deals with imaginary voyages.
This is the most recognized novel of Swift in which presents a satire on all aspects of humanity by
pointing out the vices, weaknesses and follies inherent in all human beings. It is also a satire upon
all science and philosophy. It is an outlet for the author’s own bitterness against fate and human
society.
Character of Swift’s Prose:
Directness, vigor and simplicity, mark every page of Swift’s prose. Among the writers of that age
he stands almost alone in his disdain (contempt) of literary effects. Keeping his subject steadily
before him he drives straight on to the end with a convincing power. For it must be confessed that
the bulk of Swift’s work is not wholesome reading. It is to terribly satiric and destructive; it
emphasizes the faults and failings of humanity and so runs counter to the general course of our
literature.