Is satire an excuse for being ambiguous or even direct? Does it allow for jest to be interpreted as policy or vice versa?

I don’t know the value of these thought experiments other than shedding the light to thought experiments that result in the fabric of society.

There is still a lot I need to understand about satire. The Modest Proposal essay was by far the most uncomfortable to read in this book.

Very small book about random topics covered by mr swift. Genius mind. Here are the next bits:

Wit without knowledge being a sort of cream, which gathers in a night to the top, and by a skillful hand may be soon whipped into froth; but once scummed away, what appears underneath will be fit for nothing but to be thrown to the hogs.

And pray what is man, but a topsy-turvy creature, his animal faculties perpetually mounted on his rational, his head where his heels should be, grovelling on the earth! and yet, with all his faults, he sets up to be a universal reformer and corrector of abuses, a remover of grievances, rakes into every slut's corner of nature, bringing hidden corruption to the light, and raises a mighty dust where there was none before; sharing deeply all the while in the very same pollutions he pretends to sweep away; his last days are spent in slavery to women, and generally the least deserving; till, worn out to the stumps, like his brother besom, he is either kicked out of doors, or made use of to kindle flames for others to warm themselves by.

Hippocrates tells us that among our ancestors the Scythians there was a nation called Long-heads,
" which at first began by a custom among midwives and nurses of moulding, and squeezing, and bracing up the heads of infants; by which means nature, co shut out at one passage, was forced to seek another, and, finding room above, shot upwards in the form of a sugar-loaf; and, being diverted that way for some generations, at last found it out of herself, needing no assistance from the nurse's hand.

Secondly, the art of seesaw on a beam, and swinging by session upon a cord, in order to raise artificial ecstasies, has been derived to us from our Scythian* ancestors, where it is practised at this day among the women.

I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration that of the 120,000 children already computed, 20,000 may be reserved for breed, whereto only one-fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle or swine; and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining 100,000 may at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune through the kingdom; always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.

The reason for picking up A Modest Proposal and Other Satirical Works was that I wanted to reread A Modest Proposal, which I had previously read in my copy of The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Vol 1 and which I still think is a masterpiece and as such probably the best satire I've ever come across.

As a sort of ‘bonus’ I had four more of Swift’s satirical writings in this book, each of which I liked. I must add though, that by far the most of his satirical writings require (a lot of) background knowledge into the period they were written in. Should you possess this background knowledge, then please, read this little book, as Swift’s satirical writings are fabulous!

See also the Netherlands & Flanders group, message 100 of their Summer Challenge 2014, for a review in Dutch.

When I taught this piece, I had my students come up with different dishes that babies could be made into--it was absolutely hysterical.

Todavia, é sintoma da vaidade humana cada indivíduo imaginar que todo o universo se interessa pelas suas preocupações mais mesquinhas. - "Dissertação Relativa à Estimulação Mecânica do Espírito, Numa Carta a Um Amigo. Fragmento."

Uma vassoura, porém, talvez seja, direis vós, o símbolo de uma árvore de cabeça para baixo; e o que é o homem, dizei-me, senão uma criatura às avessas, com as faculdades animais perpetuamente às cavalitas do racional, a cabeça onde deviam estar os calcanhares, a refocilar a terra! - "Meditação Acerca de Uma Vassoura"

pois de que serve a liberdade de pensamento se não produzir liberdade de ação? - "Argumentação Para Provar Que a Abolição do Cristianismo na Inglaterra Poderá, no Actual Estado de Coisas, Causar Algumas Contrariedades, e Que Talvez Não Produza os Bons Efeitos Pretendidos."

Proves that I could've been worth something if eaten at an early age.

Swift's satire, A Modest Proposal, was not well-known or well-read in his life. Of course, given the nature of the piece--the desperate need for change in Ireland--lack of recognition was difficult.

I have read and taught this many times. Most students don't understand the depths of the satire or the excellent argument structure presented in this essay.

Swift's ability to develop his argument in the way he has makes the piece an excellent read for anyone looking to understand the many forms of developing argument.

First off, A Modest Proposal is fantastic. I imagine the humor to be ages ahead of it's time, completely invested in this false voice and hilarious. It is five stars plus.

The other stories though, man, they are hard sledding. I'm not sure I've ever fallen asleep more then when trying to read Battle of the Books, and Mechanical Operation of the Spirit. Once I finished with them, I was like hey not so bad. But getting through that first read was hard work.

Read A Modest Proposal and enjoy it, but for the rest, I'd say take it on only if you are fond of your dictionary and long trains of thought that require focus and concentration to follow.

A collection of five of Swift's satiric works including the famous "A Modest Proposal." "The Battle of the Books" is most enjoyable. "The Mechanical Operation of the Spirit" seems so far removed from our times that it is difficult to recognize it as satire as opposed to merely yet another impenetrable philosophical essay.

I love satire, and this is a collection from one of the past masters of the craft.

Partially read

Ok I liked it and I’m gonna rank the essays best to worst (sorry to those who don’t care)

1.) A Modest Proposal - obviously the funniest and cleverest one so it makes sense why it’s in the title. I also like how it’s a modest proposal specifically, as opposed to a boastful proposal. I also wouldn’t be boastful if I proposed cannibalism of children though so it makes sense

2.) The Battle of the Books - made me laugh imagining actual books going to battle. reminded me of that scene in beauty and the beast

2.) A Discourse Concerning the Mechanical Operation of the Spirit - I appreciated the main metaphor in this and I did agree with most of the sentiments but maybe I just don’t like reading about religion

3.) A Meditation upon a Broomstick - short and sweet and silly

4.) An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity in England - nothing revolutionary said and did not make me giggle. Again, don’t really enjoy reading essays about religion

Overall this book reminded me of something we’d read in English class and I miss Mr. Aldrich so I enjoyed myself