Jonathan Swift's Satirical Writing

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Questions and Answers

What literary device is intended to reveal human follies?

Irony (correct)

Metaphor

Alliteration

Simile

Which of the following writers is associated with political satires in the 18th century?

Jonathan Swift (correct)

Jane Austen

William Wordsworth

Charles Dickens

Which work is NOT attributed to Jonathan Swift?

A Tale of a Tub

The Battle of the Books

Gulliver's Travels

The Dunciad (correct)

What was the primary focus of satirical works in the literature of the 18th century England?

Royal circle activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the main aim of a satirist according to the text?

To reveal human follies Signup and view all the answers

Which literary figure was mentioned as a great scholarly genius but unacknowledged by English society?

Jonathan Swift Signup and view all the answers

What caused Swift to turn rebellious against the royalty?

People with lesser talent being elevated to high positions Signup and view all the answers

In which book did Swift express his grudge for ignoring the rightful claims of deserving individuals?

Gulliver's Travels Signup and view all the answers

What political party did Swift support?

Whigs Signup and view all the answers

Which country did Gulliver visit and thought he was the most powerful person on Earth?

Lilliput Signup and view all the answers

What effect did Gulliver's visit to Brobdingnag have on him?

He realized his mistake and was reduced to a dwarf-like status Signup and view all the answers

What did Swift highlight through his successive works?

Corruption in various sectors Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of the text?

The mistreatment of human beings in society Signup and view all the answers

Why was Jonathan Swift sometimes labeled a cynicist?

For his harsh comments against the English society Signup and view all the answers

In 'A Tale of A Tub', what aspect does Swift comment on?

Religious sects and their infighting Signup and view all the answers

How did Swift suggest curbing Ireland's growing population in 'The Modest Proposal'?

By sending infants to the slaughterhouse for consumption Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested to be Swift's approach to making his voice heard?

With harsh comments and the stroke of the hammer Signup and view all the answers

'A Tale of A Tub' by Swift is a commentary on:

Growing infighting among religious sects Signup and view all the answers

What is the setting for the battle in Swift's work The Battle of the Books?

In two shelves of the King's library of England Signup and view all the answers

Who are the leaders of the ancients in Swift's satire The Battle of the Books?

Plato, Aristotle, Horace, and Moliere Signup and view all the answers

What is Swift trying to emphasize in The Battle of the Books regarding modern writers?

Their borrowing of ideas from ancient writers Signup and view all the answers

What type of weapons are used by the models in The Battle of the Books?

Intellectual arguments and wit Signup and view all the answers

What does Swift critique about the contemporary English writers in his satire?

Their high flown words without original contributions Signup and view all the answers

What is Swift's main purpose in writing The Battle of the Books?

Mocking modern writers and praising ancient scholars Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Satire and Jonathan Swift

Satire is a literary device intended to reveal human follies.
Jonathan Swift is associated with political satires in the 18th century.
Swift's primary focus in his satirical works was to critique the social and political issues of 18th century England.
The main aim of a satirist is to reform society by exposing its vices and follies.

Jonathan Swift's Life and Works

Swift was a great scholarly genius, but unacknowledged by English society.
Swift turned rebellious against the royalty due to the injustice and neglect he faced.
In his book "Gulliver's Travels", Swift expressed his grudge against the royalty for ignoring the rightful claims of deserving individuals.
Swift supported the Tory party.

Gulliver's Travels

In "Gulliver's Travels", Swift's protagonist Gulliver visits Lilliput, where he thinks he is the most powerful person on Earth.
Gulliver's visit to Brobdingnag has a humbling effect on him.
Through his successive works, Swift highlighted the need for social and political reform.

Themes and Critiques

The main theme of the text is the use of satire as a tool for social and political critique.
Jonathan Swift was sometimes labeled a cynicist due to his harsh critiques of society.
In "A Tale of a Tub", Swift comments on the excesses of the Restoration era.
In "The Modest Proposal", Swift suggests curbing Ireland's growing population by eating children.
Swift's approach to making his voice heard is through satire and irony.

The Battle of the Books

The setting for the battle in Swift's work "The Battle of the Books" is a library.
The leaders of the ancients in Swift's satire are Aristotle, Homer, and Virgil.
Swift emphasizes the importance of classical knowledge over modern writers.
The models in "The Battle of the Books" use books as weapons.
Swift critiques contemporary English writers for lacking classical knowledge and valorizing modernity.
Swift's main purpose in writing "The Battle of the Books" is to promote the importance of classical learning.

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Description

Explore the satirical elements in Jonathan Swift's work, focusing on his critique of work culture and societal hierarchy. This quiz delves into how Swift uses allegorical settings like Hunhumland to comment on real-life issues. Test your knowledge of Swift's biting commentary!