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Jonathan Swift: A Critical Introduction

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Jonathan Swift: A Critical Introduction
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Denis Donoghue
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:244
Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 140
Category/GenreLiterary studies - c 1500 to c 1800
ISBN/Barcode 9780521141352
ClassificationsDewey:828.509
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations Worked examples or Exercises

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 25 March 2010
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

In this concise critical survey, Professor Donoghue looks at Swift's whole output, and expresses a fresh sense of his literary character. In particular, he questions the widespread view that Swift is to be understood in terms of irony, persona or mask. He points out, for instance, that Swift's irony is not continuous, and that his sense of form is not ours. We should not see him as producing elaborate artistic structures, but as meeting particular needs which forced themselves upon him. We need also to identify the 'gestures' through which Swift revealed his characteristic mental attitudes, and behind them to sense his general life-stance; to understand his devices - such as the choice and change of perspective; his deeper pre-occupations - such as the relationship between the body, the mind and the soul; his attitude to and use of language; his conception of the nature of humanity; the characteristics of his verse.