...Your Name Instructor’s Name Course Name Date of Submission POLITICAL SATIRE Thesis Statement Political satire does in various ways alter the political history as it strengthens and accompanies political accomplishments. Political satire aims to inform individuals about matters pertaining to the general public as well as issues interconnected to government and politics, in a lighter but educational manner. It not only acts as a curative means to entertain citizens but also has a substantial effect on the political scene of a country. Based on this, “Political satire in the 21st century has a higher impact on the public opinion than a revealing newspaper article through creating humor and simplicity." Introduction The use of satire to express thoughts, themes, and opinions has been in existence since the early ages. It was written by an old Irish bard in an effort to put his solemn contempt upon the intended target. Mostly, satire targeted leaders, their styles of leadership, ideas and actions. The satire on the king, especially during the Irish king’s regime, was liable to result in his dethronement or even death. Political satire has been used in the past periods and continues to be used to criticize the political scenes in a humorous way. The use of satire over centuries as a literary tool has made it possible for essential thoughts, themes, and ideas to be passed across and expose the malfunctions and flaws in the society in a humorous manner. Over...
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...Science And Satire: A Critical Lens Essay Although satire is usually meant to be humorous, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit to draw attention to both particular and wider issues in society. Defined by the Merriam- Webster Dictionary as “a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn,” satire is generally used to mock one’s society. Jonathan Swift’s quote, “Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own,” conveys that when one is being satirical and making general comments about society, the focus is on everyone else’s actions and flaws, rather than our own. Swift’s work, Gulliver's Travels, in its entirety, is a satire on the scientific...
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...A Modest Proposal Essay Sheila Wolfe HUM112041VA016-1152-001: World Cultures II Dr. Sue Lafferty 01/31/2015 I chose to do my essay on Jonathon Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”. Swift’s Essay is a style called satire (the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc. – Dictionary.com). When you first start to read the essay Swift describes the horrible conditions of the poor and the burden on the parents to try and feed their children. As you read on Swift starts to talk about the poor innocent babes being murdered by their mothers or the voluntary abortions running rapid in the Kingdom – “……Women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expense than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast.” After swift goes through a lengthy description of the deplorable state that the poor are in and running the numbers of children by the poor he then purpose his thoughts on how to deal with the children. His plan for helping the poor sell and eat their children. WHAT?? Swift wrote “I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragoust.” When I first read those...
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...Alejandro Delgado Professor Wolf British Literature February 23, 2012 A Flawed Justice System When a society has a problem and it needs to be dealt with in a fair manner, the society turns to its judicial system, which lays down the rules of how to go about the case and determine the punishment. There were many different societies that enforced a law system according to their needs and population, and this goes the same for the era. Ben Jonson and Jonathan Swift are two very popular and well respected authors of satire, who have made stories that made society question the judicial system that they carried. Ben Jonson satirizes the judicial system in his play Volpone, a story of an old but sneaky man who manipulated people into giving him things for the possibility of becoming the heir of his grand fortune. Jonathan Swift mocks the way England is carried out politically in Gulliver’s Travels, the story of Lemuel Gulliver who travels by sea to four different lands and learns of their habits whilst comparing them to England and opening his eyes to the flaws of England. One of the most crucial points in the story of Volpone would be the case of Bonario and Celia, who are being falsely accused by Corvino, Voltore and Corbaccio, who are currently competing for the position of becoming Volpone’s heir. Jonson mocks the system by simply giving full control to the men of power and portraying the avocatores as very gullible men. Before entering the court, the...
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...Is Mac Flecknoe a lampoon or a satire? At a time when fiction from Grub Street hack writers (whom he called the “multitude of scribblers, who daily pester the world with their insufferable stuff ”) was becoming widely read, courtly poets and dramatists like Dryden felt a need to play the public role of arbiters of literary taste. Dryden was actively engaged in contemporary debates which sought to lay down standards of what was considered high and low art. He published his “Essay of Dramatic Poesie” in 1667 and “Discourses on Satire and Epic Poetry” in 1692. Both of these served as prescriptive texts for what passed muster as “good” art. In an age of a revived interest in the classics, many of the instructions on good satirical writing are based on the works of Horace, Persius and Juvenal. While he did not think highly of Horatian verse which used word-play like anagrams and “ackrosticks” and was favoured by Francophiles poets, he admired Juvenal and Persius for their unity of plot and their use of Wit, which he saw as a more masculine device than lampooning or raillery. In MacFlecknoe, Dryden’s definition of good art also comes to be strongly associated with class. When he says that bad poetry laden with “Pure Clinches” or puns is inspired by the “suburban Muse”, his implication is that it is only the genteel circles of London that produce and read good poetry – thus, Bun-hill and Watling Street are down-market parts of London which by virtue of their economic demography...
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...Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” name English 301 December 3, 20xx In “A Modest Proposal” (1729), Jonathan Swift used satire for a double purpose: to attack those that he considered responsible for the financial situation of Ireland, and in the same time, to push those who were in a position of power to take rational measures against poverty in Ireland. In his poem, Swift made use of the image of the Projector; a character whose role is that o designing plans that would lead to some improvements being made in the society. Swift’s narrator in “A Modest Proposal” is an Economic Projector who imagines the entire plan from the point of view of a cold and objective individual. The impersonation’s result is that most often, critics see the Projector as a person who sounds just like Swift when in fact, the truth is that Jonathan Swift was brilliant in making himself sound like a projector(Lockwood 1974). The present paper examines the role of the Economic Projector in the paper, arguing that he does not represent a projection of Swift’s own persona but rather, he is a character through which the author realizes his satirical purpose. The paper further holds that the projector has a central role in creating the meaning of the work. Literary critics and commenters of Swift’s work placed great emphasis on the role of Swift’s economic projector, the narrator who imagines the entire cannibalistic plan described in the poem....
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...Assignment 1: Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” Dr. Anthony McCormack Strayer University World Culture II Gladys A. Reyes July 25, 2015 In the satire “A Modest Proposal’, Jonathan Swift expresses his feelings of frustration with regard to the aggravation and political issues in Ireland. He describes being frustrated with the indifference of Ireland politicians, the wealthy, the English tyranny, and the degradation and poor conditions in which many poor, Irish women and children have been forced to live in. Swift is embarrassed for those that come to the towns and travel the country, only to see the streets full and crowded with beggars. Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” satire is a reality called for the politician, the wealthy, and the people of Ireland to look for way to improve the lives of the poor, to stop the English social oppression, and to ultimately end the indifferences and life inequalities in Ireland (Levine, 1995). Jonathan Swift was born of Protestant, English parents in Dublin, Ireland on November 30, 1667. He was a man that was immersed in the secular world of men and woman, of politics and political intrigue. He was a devoted friend to those he loved as he was an implacable enemy to those he disliked. He lived in London most of his life, but after the death of Queen Anne in 1714, he was offered a position as Dean of St. Patrick’s in Dublin. He held his position until his death in 1745 at the age of seventy eight. He was buried in St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Glendinning...
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...England’s control. Legislation was enacted by England that severely limited the rights of the Irish to hold government office, purchase real estate, get an education, and advance themselves in other ways. As a result, many Irish fled to foreign lands, including America. Most of those who remained in Ireland lived in poverty, facing disease, starvation, and prejudice. By the 1720’s, Ireland was overly occupied and a majority were the poor lower class. In Jonathon Swift’s essay, “A Modest Proposal”, Swift uses the literary devices satire, persona, and logos to emphasize the poor quality of living and overpopulation of the inhabitants of Ireland, and calls for a renovation of the current system through the cooperation of the classes thus showing that one voice, can be a loud one. Swift uses many rhetorical devices throughout the work to demonstrate the necessity of change to the current lifestyle of the lower class. This essay is well known for its’ satire, which Swift uses throughout the whole composition, trivializing the poor conditions of the low Irish class. “A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricase, or a ragoust.” (672) The satirical statement that people should begin selling their own children to be eaten emphasizes the extent the economic and population crisis has come to in Ireland. Families whom are in severe...
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...I think the book of Jonathan Swift isn’t funny. Unfortunately, he wrote it in satire, because otherwise author would get in trouble with Irish government, who, as Swift’s thought, was responsible for most of the trouble in Ireland. As we know from the history, in the beginning of 18th century the House of Lords of the Irish parliament was formed of British proteges. The British crown passed all legislative functions in relation to Ireland. London used empire’s power for creating new rights and privileges for British goods. That’s why was really hard time for a local farmers and factories. Jonathan Swift was one of the Irishman, who the plight of his country in this time he is well aware: -“ we neither build houses, (I mean in the country) nor cultivate land” ... “the roads and cabbin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms.” ... “as...
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...The episode I chose to review satire on comes from the series: “The Office(U.S.)” and the episode I used is: “The Surplus” (S5E10). These shows are based around a paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania named Dunder Mifflin, and the whole show is basically about a social or political statement with a comedic twist. This comedic twist came from the character Michael Scott played by Steve Carell when Michael receives news that his branch has come in $4300 under on their budget. Michael is given two choices at the beginning of the episode one being- buy a new copier for the office- or – getting everyone new chairs at the office. As time goes on Michael becomes exponentially more stressed as to choose the right one because he fears upsetting...
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...To write satire is to perform a miracle. One must hate the world so much that one’s hatred strikes sparks but one must hate it only because it disappoints one’s invincible love of it; one must write in denunciation of ugliness and put the thing down in unmistakable black and white, yet keep this, as all written things, within the sphere of beauty. (Schorer 23). This quotation of Rebecca West interprets the significance of satire and satirist. Sinclair Lewis, the first American to be awarded the Noble Prize in literature, was one of the superb satirists American literature has produced. His novels highlight the vital issues of the contemporary society and are suffused with convincing characters, realistic dialogues and down-to-earth...
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...“Advice to Youth” Mark Twain 1882 Answer all questions on a separate piece of paper and in complete sentences. Use the heading. 1. Define Satire. 2. Define didactic, beseechingly, superstition, offend, lark, temperate, elegance, diligence, eminence, tedious, peerless, sewn, anesthesia, slander, meddle, gatling gun, waterloo, inestimable, precepts. Do this on separate paper. 3. What are the six items Twain provides as advice to youth? 4. Why is obeying the best policy, in Twain’s opinion? 5. What superstition do parents have according to Twain? 6. How does Twain instruct the youth to avoid violence? 7. Why is lying bad? 8. How is lying a great art? 9. What is Twain’s advice to youth about lying? 10. Twain provides an anecdote about firearms. Why is it funny or not? 11. Why shouldn’t youth handle firearms, according to Twain? 12. What is his advice about reading? 13. What is the result of building one’s character, according to Twain? 14. Is this article a good example of satire? chamber looked such a bright little place to me as the sun shone in between the gay blue chintz window curtains, showing papered walls and a carpeted floor, so unlike the bare planks and stained plaster of Lowood, that my spirits rose at the view. Externals have a great effect on the young: I thought that fairer era of life was beginning for me, --one that was to have its flowers and pleasures, as well as its thorns and toils. My faculties, roused by the change...
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..... .. | | . |A Modest Proposal | |By Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) | |A Study Guide | |Cummings Guides Home..|..Contact This Site | |.. | |Type of Work | |Purpose | |Historical Background | |Summary | | ...
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...Assignment #1: Surprise Ending in The Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift is a satirical story with lots of sarcasm. This proposal was written to shock or force the government into a reaction. As the government read his proposal it should bring about a response. This proposal suggests a “barbaric solution” that amounts purely to cannibalism. Mr. Swift’s idea is to help end poverty and decrease the amount of women beggars by eating babies of the poor. He devised a plan where he would take 20,000 babies and decide how many would be sold, how many would be breeders thus creating a balance between rich and poor. Mr. Swift’s plan would give the poor a means of income and the wealthy would get a fine and delicate meal. He stated that feeding on Irish babies was a treat and the English should be honored to feast on the babies. Swift based his proposal on facts and figures of many years of analyzing the situation. He does seem well educated and well versed on his proposal. He noted several benefits and advantages to his proposal. Some of those benefits included women being more loving towards their children. Another benefit would be more marriages happening with men catering to their wives while they were pregnant. Swift also quoted a friend that was a modern day swindler. The friend was supposedly from Formosa and told a story where 18,000 young boys were sacrificed to the Gods’ and Priests’. The Gods’ dined on the hearts and the Priests’ dine on...
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...Reader Response Journal Entry – Satires In class, we went over the definitions of a satire and began to talk about what elements of a satire are seen in Huck Finn. A satire is described as the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices. As I began to think more about what a satire means, I realized that in modern day TV shows, politics, and other sources of entertainment, elements of a satire are often brought in. For example, Family Guy, Tosh.0, Saturday Night Live, Chelsea Lately, and the Simpsons are all television shows that could be considered satires, since they all mock people, exaggerate, and use comedy to expose people. I’m surprised that it was so easy to find TV shows that are satires; it’s almost bad in a way, since so many popular shows are making fun of people. Satires aren’t only used to make fun of people though. Often, the use of sarcasm and amplification on their own, create a satire. In chapters 17-18 of Huck Finn, it is clear that Mark Twain is satirizing something in particular. I believe that Mr. Twain is mocking the Civil War through the feud between the Shepherdsons and the Grangerfords. This feud has been going on for so long that these two families can’t even remember how it all started. They say that they only way that the feud will end is when everyone has killed everyone else, because there will be no one left to fight; “a feud is this way: a man has a quarrel with another man and kills...
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