Biography about jonathan swift

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Known for his keen wit, biting satire, and deep insights into human nature and society, Swift’s works have remained influential for centuries. His next move was to approach William III directly, based on his imagined connection through Temple and a belief that he had been promised a position. He is, however, unable to reconcile himself to living among Yahoos; he becomes a recluse, remaining in his house, largely avoiding his family, and spending several hours a day speaking with the horses in his stables.

Swift's pamphlets on Irish issues made him into something of a national hero in Ireland, despite his close association with the Tories and his ethnic English background. On October 19, 1745, Swift died. These early works reflected Swift’s desire to use satire as a means of critiquing society and promoting reason and virtue.

Jonathan Swift in 1682, by Thomas Pooley.

Swift became increasingly involved in political issues, and in 1707 he moved back to Ireland to serve as a political adviser.

His ability to address complex issues with humor and moral depth has made his works timeless. Jack, symbolizing Puritanism, gave in to his feelings, which he began to call zeal, "tore his entire coat from top to bottom," embarked on "extraordinary adventures," and became the founder of the "Houyhnhnm" sect (a parody of Puritans).

Swift's first period of work concluded with the publication of "Gulliver's Travels" in 1721-1725.

In 1701 Swift had invited his friend Esther Johnson to Dublin. During his visit he stayed with his old friends, Alexander Pope, John Arbuthnot, and John Gay, who helped him arrange for the anonymous publication of his book.

biography about jonathan swift

Swift was part of the inner circle of the Tory government, often acting as mediator between the prime minister and various other members of Parliament. Structured as a travel narrative, Gulliver’s Travels tells the story of Lemuel Gulliver, a ship’s surgeon who journeys to various strange lands, each serving as a satirical representation of different aspects of human society and government.

First edition of Gulliver’s Travels

The novel is divided into four parts:

  • Lilliput – Gulliver’s first destination, where he encounters a society of tiny people, the Lilliputians.

    In the summer of 1699 Temple died. However, it is a profound satire in which Swift exposes the folly of mankind and keenly responds to the socio-political situation in 18th century England.

    Legacy

    Swift once stated that "satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own." Utilizing grotesque logic—for example, that Irish poverty can be solved by the breeding of infants as food for the rich—Swift commented on attitudes and policies of his day with an originality and forcefulness that influenced later novelists such as Mark Twain, H.

    G. Wells, and George Orwell. The trip is otherwise reasonably free of incident and Gulliver returns home, determined to stay a homebody for the rest of his days. It was during his time at Temple’s estate that Swift began honing his writing skills and became acquainted with literary and political circles. The king of Ireland, England and Scotland was soon to be overthrown.

    He suffered from an inner ear disorder, likely Meniere’s disease, which caused dizziness and vertigo.