We’re all familiar with Satirical literature: literature that mocks or ridicules events, attitudes, and people, with the goal that it will reach out to audiences and influence change. Satirical literature has been around for quite some time, but one of the best and most original examples can be found in the essay, “A modest Proposal” , by Jonathan Smith. This essay hits on some concrete issues that Ireland was facing during the early 1700’s such as famine, poverty, and ridiculous parliament laws passed by England, which only exacerbated the issues. Jonathan Smith uses satire in attempts to shock and influence people, and he succeeds to do so, as he introduces an odd and unorthodox idea for parents to make money off of their children--to raise
…show more content…
Swift’s father died shortly after his birth, which left him and his mother in very poor conditions. Swift’s uncle’s educated him and eventually sent him to Trinity college, which was at the time Ireland’s only university. Though undisciplined and insubordinate, he was allowed to graduate in 1686 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (British Writers 273). In 1688, Swift moved to England in pursuits of a new life. For 10 years, Swift worked in London's Moor Park and acted as an assistant to the reverend English statesman, Sir William Temple, helping him with political errands, and also in the researching and publishing of his own essays and memoirs (Bio). During this time, Swift began to suffer from Meniere’s syndrome, which caused him to return to Ireland because it was suggested that breathing in his native air would help him recover. Swift did not like living in Ireland, so he again moved back to England. In 1692, he attended Oxford and graduated with his Master of Fine Arts. This opened up a door of opportunity for Swift, and he became a clergyman for the Church of England. His early poems began during this time. Soon, Swift moved back to Ireland and served as chaplain to Berkeley, the Lord Justice of Ireland. Trinity college awarded him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1702 (British Writers 273). It was after this that his writing career took off and more of his well-known works were published. Swift wrote a lot …show more content…
During this era, Roman-Catholics and members of other religions other than the Protestant religion were greatly excluded. The members of the Established Church passed penal laws which restricted those of other faiths from participating in social and political activities such as voting, holding office, or even being members of the military (McCormick). Early parliament laws made celebration of Catholic Mass illegal, and even made upholding of the authority of the pope punishable by the death for a second offense (Wagner 234). Parliament was the supreme legislature of England (included the House of the Lords and the House of the Commons). In the eighteenth-century, Parliament played a major role with the laws and legislation passed, as any law that was passed had to go through them first (Wagner 225). In other words, England had essentially full control of Ireland and did everything in its power to keep Ireland weak, in order to keep it wrapped around its finger. English Parliament also passed laws that taxed and restricted the not just the Catholics, but the majority of the population of Ireland, which caused immense famine and poverty in the nation. At this time, Catholics made up about seventy percent of the population of around two million, but
Swift’s father died shortly after his birth, which left him and his mother in very poor conditions. Swift’s uncle’s educated him and eventually sent him to Trinity college, which was at the time Ireland’s only university. Though undisciplined and insubordinate, he was allowed to graduate in 1686 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (British Writers 273). In 1688, Swift moved to England in pursuits of a new life. For 10 years, Swift worked in London's Moor Park and acted as an assistant to the reverend English statesman, Sir William Temple, helping him with political errands, and also in the researching and publishing of his own essays and memoirs (Bio). During this time, Swift began to suffer from Meniere’s syndrome, which caused him to return to Ireland because it was suggested that breathing in his native air would help him recover. Swift did not like living in Ireland, so he again moved back to England. In 1692, he attended Oxford and graduated with his Master of Fine Arts. This opened up a door of opportunity for Swift, and he became a clergyman for the Church of England. His early poems began during this time. Soon, Swift moved back to Ireland and served as chaplain to Berkeley, the Lord Justice of Ireland. Trinity college awarded him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1702 (British Writers 273). It was after this that his writing career took off and more of his well-known works were published. Swift wrote a lot …show more content…
During this era, Roman-Catholics and members of other religions other than the Protestant religion were greatly excluded. The members of the Established Church passed penal laws which restricted those of other faiths from participating in social and political activities such as voting, holding office, or even being members of the military (McCormick). Early parliament laws made celebration of Catholic Mass illegal, and even made upholding of the authority of the pope punishable by the death for a second offense (Wagner 234). Parliament was the supreme legislature of England (included the House of the Lords and the House of the Commons). In the eighteenth-century, Parliament played a major role with the laws and legislation passed, as any law that was passed had to go through them first (Wagner 225). In other words, England had essentially full control of Ireland and did everything in its power to keep Ireland weak, in order to keep it wrapped around its finger. English Parliament also passed laws that taxed and restricted the not just the Catholics, but the majority of the population of Ireland, which caused immense famine and poverty in the nation. At this time, Catholics made up about seventy percent of the population of around two million, but