Swift; a Collection of Critical Essays, Volume 8Prentice-Hall, 1964 - 176 pages Twentieth century critics have rediscovered in Jonathan Swift an outspoken commentary on the complex and ultimately unsolvable mystery of human nature. The essays collected here document the process of the reversal which has rescued Swift from the disgust and near-hatred of earlier readers. Several paths to re-evaluation are followed by these critics. Through careful research they uncover the facts of Swift's political and social involvement and his part in the philosophical battles of his age. Their efforts reveal and artist who transcended the ordinary, who recast the moral climate of an age into the allegorical voyages of Lemuel Gulliver. The second part is an analysis of Swift's method. A third approach considers each part of Swift's masterpiece in the context of the whole oeuvre and the whole man. Is Gulliver Swift? Do the Yahoos really represent mankind? Is Houyhnhnmland really the perfect society? The critical reinstatement of a great author is a dramatic process and one that illuminates modern criticism at its creative best. -- From publisher's description. |
Contents
INTRODUCTIONErnest Tuveson | 1 |
THE IRONY OF SWIFTF R Leavis 111 | 15 |
THE EXCREMENTAL VISIONNorman O Brown | 31 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
absurd accept achieved anal animal appear argument attack attitude becomes body called century chapters character Christian Church civilization comedy comic common complete concerning corruption course criticism definition edited effect English essay essential evil example excremental experience fact fall feel final fourth voyage gives Gulliver Gulliver's Travels horse Houyhnhnms human human nature Hythloday idea ideal imagination important irony Jonathan Swift kind king letter live Locke look madness mankind master means method mind moral More's myth nature never original passage perhaps person philosopher physical play political positive possible present pride problem psychoanalysis rational reader reason religion satire seems sense shape situation speak species Spirit symbolic Tale things thought tion true truth University Utopia virtue vision voyage whole writes Yahoos