During his lifetime, Swift's name made a lot of noise. From his sharp pen came pamphlets that excited public opinion in England and Ireland. In fact, he became famous for a book that told about Gulliver's travels. Usually Swift did not sign his essays, but readers always recognized the author by his sparkling style.
From the biography of Jonathan Swift
The future satirist and public figure was born November 30, 1667 in Dublin, Ireland. Jonathan's father, a petty court clerk, died two months before his son was born. The mother was left without a livelihood with two children in her arms. A newborn boy, among other things, was born very painful and with a congenital pathology.
Unable to support Jonathan and look after him, his mother gave the boy to Godwin Swift, the brother of the deceased husband. He was a wealthy lawyer. Jonathan graduated from one of the most prestigious schools in Ireland. However, he got used to strict school rules for a long time: he had to forget about the poor, but free former life.
At the age of 14, Swift entered Trinity College at the University of Dublin. A few years later he received a bachelor's degree and a persistent aversion to science.
Swift's Creative Biography
Swift began to engage in creativity when he was forced to move to England. His wealthy uncle went broke. A civil war broke out in Ireland. Jonathan himself had to earn a living. With the support of his mother, he joined the service of diplomat William Temple as secretary. By the nature of his work, Swift was free to work with a rich library of tenants.
Temple often hosted the elite of English society. Communication with prominent public figures paved the way for the future literary activity of the young writer. Swift entered the literature as a poet and author of short essays. He also assisted Temple in compiling memoirs.
In 1694, Swift graduated from Oxford with a masters degree, took the priesthood, and chose the place of his spiritual activity as a church in a small Irish village. Then he served in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. At the same time, the priest worked on creating sharp political pamphlets.
The duties of a church servant quickly bothered Swift. He left Ireland and once again came to England. Here he created several poems and two parables: “The Battle of the Books” and “The Tale of the Barrel”. The last parable made the author popular among the people. Ordinary people liked her. But the clergy evoked condemnation, although Swift did not even think of criticizing the religion.
Jonathan did not advertise his authorship: his opuses, parables and poems were published anonymously. The writer followed this habit in the future. However, everyone knew who owned these bright satirical works.
The rise of satirical talent
The peak of Swift's creative activity came in the second decade of the 18th century. Having become the dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Jonathan gained financial independence and could now indulge in literary experiences. His articles and pamphlets became an expression of righteous anger at the injustice prevailing in society. Swift was no longer afraid to criticize religion and power. One of the central themes in the writer's work was the problem of the autonomy of his native Ireland, which was moaning under the yoke of England.
After the publication of “Letters of the Clothman”, published in thousands of copies, its unknown author gained universal respect. His work called for neglect of English laws, not to use English money, to refuse to buy goods produced in neighboring England. Authorities have promised a reward to those who point to the compiler of outrageous notes.
However, all attempts to find the author of the "Letters" have failed. As a result, England had to make economic concessions to Ireland. After that, the entire capital of the rebellious state was hung with portraits of Swift. His name stood on a par with other national heroes.
Of the great many pamphlets of the writer, the most famous are:
- “Proposal for the correction, improvement and consolidation of the English language”;
- "The argument about the inconvenience of the destruction of Christianity in England";
- "A modest offer."
In the early 20s of the XVIII century, Jonathan began working on his famous novel about the adventures of Gulliver. In the first two stories of the cycle, the author in a satirical manner ridicules the imperfection of modern society and his vices. These books were published in 1726. Two years later, a continuation of stories about Gulliver was published.
Among the "miracles" that the author shared with readers were:
- midgets;
- giants;
- reasonable horses;
- immortal people;
- floating island.
Swift's success was incredible. Over the years, the adventures of the ship's doctor Gulliver began to be considered a classic of world literature. Swift's tetralogy was later made into films more than once.
