英国文学课件 2.ppt

Content Swift’s Life Swift’s Main Works A Modest Proposal Gulliver’s Travels Swift’s Style I. Swift’s Life Born in a poor family in Dublin, Ireland in 1667. He was educated at Trinity College in Dublin. He worked as a private secretary to a retired diplomat. In 1713 he was appointed dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin His disease ended in madness. Bust in St. Patricks Cathedral, Ireland St. Patrick Hospital, Swift’s madhouse Swift’s Love Affair Esther Johnson (Stella) educating her, forming her character, and later coming to love her Love letters Journal to Stella II. Swift’s Main Works Swift’s Essays III. A Modest Proposal In this essay, Swift appears to be most critical of inherent human faults— greed, insensitivity, and intolerance. 1). The greed of British landlords and the aristocracy is subject to attack by Swift. 2). The insensitivity of the British towards the starving Irish. 3). The intolerance that the British exhibited towards members of other groups, namely the Irish Catholics. IV. Gulliver’s Travels Swift’s greatest satire Gulliver’s Travels is written in 1726. Satire is the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. 1. Plot and Major Characters Written in the form of a travel journal, Gulliver’s Travels is the fictional account of four extraordinary voyages made by Gulliver, a physician who signs on to serve as a ship’s surgeon. 2. Major Themes Lilliput: a satire on the Tories the Whigs. Brobdingnag: a satire on English lords and ladies. Flying Island: a satire on corrupted philosophers projectors. Country House: a satire on the conflicts of English society and people. 4. Summary Swift hated all kinds of oppressions——political, economical and religious. But he cherished a greatest love for the people. His Gulliver’s Travels gives an unparalleled satirical depiction of the vices of his age. IV. Swift’s Style One