JonathanSwift乔纳森斯威夫特简介.pptVIP

Jonathan Swift —— one of the very greatest names in English Literature Jonathan Swift: 1667-1745 Jonathan Swift, son of the English lawyer Jonathan Swift the elder, was born in Dublin, Ireland, on November 30, 1667. He grew up there in the care of his uncle before attending Trinity College the age of fourteen, where he stayed for seven years, graduating in 1688. In that year, he became the secretary of Sir William Temple, an English politician and member of the Whig party. From 1707 to 1709 and again in 1710, Swift was in London, petitioning the Whig Party which he had supported all his life. And Swift was recruited to support their cause as editor of the Examiner , the principal Tory periodical, when they came to power in 1710. In 1711 Swift published the political pamphlet The Conduct of the Allies, attacking the Whig government for its inability to end the prolonged war with France. Swift was conservative , by nature: he instinctively sought stability in religion as in politics, but stability which insured personal freedoms. He believed that the divisive tendencies of Mankind had promoted the general decay . of Christianity itself, which had lost its original clarity, simplicity, and coherence. Literary position He is one of greatest masters of English prose; He is a master satirist( 讽刺诗作者 ); Even today, he is still regarded as a national hero in Ireland. Swifts Style ? clear, vigorous( 充满激情的 ) language; ? simple, direct and precise( 恰好的，清晰的 ) prose; ? deadly irony; ? powerful satire. Major Works A Tale of a Tub (1697) published in 1704 The Battle of the Books (1697 ) Journal to Stella (1710-13)