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18th Century Society Through The Works Of Jonathon Swift, Alexander Pope, and Samuel Johnson - College Essays

18th Century Society Through The Works Of Jonathon Swift, Alexander Pope, and Samuel Johnson

18th century society

The 18th century is categorized by "darkness"---literally as well as figuratively. The populous were illiterate, governed by their masters and did not even give considerations to how they could improve their conditions. This darkness influenced their political, social and cultural aspects as well. Alexander Pope's Dunciad, Samuel Johnson's Rasselas and Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels exemplify the darkness of the people during the 18th century. [1]

Pope in his Dunciad addresses the educational aspect of 18th century England in his Fourth Book. To him, man needs education to make him a proper "man", meaning to become civilized. Through his work, one also come ...

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creation." And it is the "Universal Darkness buries All." [Pope, 2002] Thus, Dunciad shows how religion dictated every aspect of mankind and eventually the reason for the deterioration of society.

Swift in his work Gulliver's Travels also addressees similar hegemonic rulings but provides an idealistic aspect as well. Of the most controversial is his last section "A Voyage to the Houyhnhnms". Here Swift directly addresses the English society how it is divided into the slaves and the rulers. The rulers enjoyed liberty, luxury and had all the materialistic advantage. The slaves were under privileged and grossly. Swift portrays his work from the point of view of the Yahoos, how degrading to lead such a life. From this notion one could also detect how dishonest and cruel rulers characterize the English society. They were "dirty, savage and barbaric with no capacity for reason"[3]. To Swift this kind of society only harbors hatred and disintegration.

Swift also addresses the issue of ...

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18th Century Society Through The Works Of Jonathon Swift, Alexander Pope, and Samuel Johnson. (2015, July 29). Retrieved January 22, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/18th-Century-Society-Through-Works-Jonathon/104837

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Added: 7/29/2015 03:45:23 AM
Category: European History
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 767
Pages: 3

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