Depiction of Britain and Society in Jonathan Swift and Oliver Goldsmith's Works

Introduction

Jonathan Swift and Oliver Goldsmith both critiqued the functioning of British society and its treatment of the poor. Swift, however, took a different approach by using biting satire to highlight the lack of compassion. For instance, the narrator of "A Modest Proposal" suggests that the starving Irish should fatten and sell their year-old children to wealthy English landowners in Ireland as gourmet table delights, since the English refuse to assist the Irish in any other way (Swift, 1729).

The Use of Satire in Swift's Works

Jonathan Swift employs satire as a powerful tool to combat social evils. He uses it primarily in two ways. Firstly, he uses satire to point out the current shortcomings of society and to highlight the need for essential changes in the social and political structure. Understanding the power of satire, he also uses it to dismantle his adversaries. "Gulliver's Travels" is much more than just an intriguing tale about giants and tiny people. It contains several layers of meaning, which attentive readers can uncover. Swift is a dynamic satirist, comparable to other notable figures. "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift is a universal book that can captivate a wide audience. Alongside sharp political satire, it addresses critical themes such as morality, religion, politics, and the quest for the meaning of life (Swift, 1726).

"A Modest Proposal" and its Impact

Swift's argument in "A Modest Proposal" is one of the most absurd and extraordinary arguments ever penned by any writer. Readers are shocked by his suggestion to sell children as food to solve Ireland's poverty and starvation issues. Swift did not create this satirical work merely for amusement or to make people laugh. The primary aim of the piece is to express genuine outrage at the government's negligent attitude towards its citizens. In Swift's work, we can find genuine statements that compel us to consider the reality we witness daily on the streets. Therefore, satire is used not only for entertainment but also to draw public attention to pressing issues in contemporary society (Swift, 1729).

Goldsmith's Approach to Satire

Oliver Goldsmith also uses satire to illustrate the vices of contemporary society. Goldsmith employs gentle and sometimes even kind satire. His novel depicts village life in such a way that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the boundary between the nostalgic portrayal of rural life and the light irony and social satire. Critics and readers alike struggle to determine whether "The Vicar of Wakefield" is a sentimental account of pastoral England or social satire targeting the very pastoral England with its values and morals. Despite writing in the genre of social satire, Goldsmith seems to feel sympathy for his characters. His satire is much gentler and warmer compared to Swift's, which is sharp and accusatory. Goldsmith uses humor and light satire while addressing complex social issues, hypocrisy, class stratification, and moral reform (Goldsmith, 1766).

Conclusion

Despite using different forms of satire to expose social vices, both Jonathan Swift and Oliver Goldsmith find unique ways to reach their readers' hearts. The enduring popularity of their works demonstrates that the themes and issues addressed by these authors have not lost their relevance and continue to be of interest to modern readers. They have made their mark and continue to hold significance in today's world.

References

Goldsmith, O. (1766). The Vicar of Wakefield. London: F. Newbery.

Swift, J. (1726). Gulliver's Travels. London: Benjamin Motte.

Swift, J. (1729). A Modest Proposal. Dublin: S. Harding.