During his lifetime, the name of Swift made a lot of noise. From under his sharp pen came out pamphlets that excited public opinion in England and Ireland. He really became famous for his book, which 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 on November 30, 1667 in Dublin, Ireland. Jonathan's father, a minor court clerk, died two months before his son was born. The mother was left without a livelihood with two children in her arms. The newborn boy, among other things, was born very painful and with congenital abnormalities.
Unable to support Jonathan and take care of him, the mother gave the boy to be raised by Godwin Swift, the brother of her late 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 earned 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. Civil war broke out in Ireland. Jonathan had to make a living himself. With the support of his mother, he joined the diplomat William Temple as a secretary. By the nature of his work, Swift was free to work with the employer's rich library.
Temple often received representatives of the elite of English society. Communication with prominent public figures paved the way for the future literary activity of the young writer. Swift entered literature as a poet and author of short essays. He also assisted Temple in writing his memoirs.
In 1694, Swift graduated from a magistracy at Oxford, was ordained a priest and chose a church in a small Irish village as the place of his spiritual activity. Then he served at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. At the same time, the priest worked on the creation of poignant political pamphlets.
The duties of a church servant quickly grew tired of Swift. He left Ireland and came to England once again. 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 it caused condemnation among the churchmen, although Swift did not even think to criticize 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 to whom these bright satirical works belonged.
The flowering of the satirist's talent
The peak of Swift's creative activity came in the second decade of the 18th century. After becoming dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Jonathan gained financial independence and could now safely indulge in literary experiences. His articles and pamphlets became an expression of righteous anger at the injustices that reigned 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 groaned under the yoke of England.
After the publication of the Letters of the Cloth Maker, which came out in thousands of copies, its unknown author acquired a nationwide veneration. His work called for disregarding English laws, not using English money, and refusing to buy goods produced in neighboring England. The authorities have promised a reward to anyone who points to the originator of the outrageous notes.
However, all attempts to find the author of the Letters have led nowhere. 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";
- "Discourse on the inconvenience of the destruction of Christianity in England";
- "A modest proposal."
In the early 20s of the 18th 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 his contemporary society and its vices. These books were published in 1726. Two years later, the continuation of the stories about Gulliver was published.
Among the "miracles" shared by the author with readers were:
- midgets;
- giants;
- reasonable horses;
- immortal people;
- flying island.
The success of Swift's writing was incredible. Over the years, the adventures of the ship's doctor Gulliver began to be considered classics of world literature. Swift's tetralogy was filmed more than once at a later time.
Jonathan Swift's personal life
Researchers consider Swift's relationship with women strange. He was tied by close ties with two girls, who were called by the same name - Esther.
When Jonathan was still working for Temple as a secretary, he met the daughter of one of the maids. The girl was eight years old, her name was Esther Johnson. Jonathan preferred to call her Stella. The fifteen-year difference did not become an obstacle to friendly relations. Swift diligently taught the girl the sciences. Subsequently, when Esther grew up, romantic feelings arose between them.
When the girl's mother died, Esther came to Ireland and settled in Swift's house. For those around her, she was only his pupil. Researchers speculate that Swift and Esther Johnson were married. But this is not confirmed by documents.
There is evidence of Swift's relationship with another girl. Her name was Esther Vanhomry. With the light hand of the writer, she received the name Vanessa. Swift dedicated many lyrical letters to her. The girl died in 1723 from tuberculosis. Esther Johnson also passed away a few years later.
Jonathan took both losses hard. The loss of his beloved women affected both the physical and mental health of the writer. Several years before his death, Swift began to suffer from mental illness. The upset was accompanied by a bad mood and "overwhelming grief", as the writer himself expressed this in letters to friends.
In 1742, Swift suffered a stroke. After that, he could not move himself. He lost his speech. The writer passed away on October 19, 1745 in his homeland.
The satirist prepared for his future death back in 1731. He wrote a poem for such an occasion. In this work, Swift clearly outlined his life credo: to heal human vices with cruel laughter.
