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SATIRE AND IRONY IN THE WORKS OF JONATHAN SWIFT
Bakhshullayeva Mohinabonu Bahodir qizi
Master’s Student, First Year, Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15009849
Abstract.
This article examines the ancient and traditional significance of humor (satire,
irony) in the civilization of world nations, focusing on the scientific and theoretical analysis of
the works of Jonathan Swift, one of the brightest satirists in English literature.
Keywords:
dramatic satire, humor, comedy, folk laughter, moral issue, sharp, ruthless,
social inequality, landowners, oppression, poverty, acknowledgment, and so on.
САТИРА И ИРОНИЯ В ТВОРЧЕСТВЕ ДЖОНАТАНА СВИФТА
Аннотация.
В статье рассматривается древнее и традиционное значение юмора
(сатиры, иронии) в цивилизации народов мира, уделяя особое внимание научно-
теоретическому анализу произведений Джонатана Свифта, одного из самых ярких
сатириков в английской литературе.
Ключевые слова:
драматическая сатира, юмор, комедия, народный смех,
моральная проблема, острый, беспощадный, социальное неравенство, землевладельцы,
угнетение, бедность, признание и т. д.
The formation and development of human worldview in society is a scientific-theoretical
phenomenon analyzed based on the laws of certain branches of knowledge. Literature is an
essential tool for enriching the spiritual and moral world of individuals. The system of various
characters in literary works allows for an analysis of human psychology, nature, and character.
Jonathan Swift’s works exhibit distinctive features in the expression of satire. Jonathan
Swift (1667–1745) was one of the most prominent satirists in English literature, and his works
sharply and incisively address profound social, political, and moral issues through satire. Swift’s
satirical mastery is evident not only in his wordplay and imagery but also in his critique of
reality. His works not only highlight the shortcomings of contemporary society but also
emphasize universal values.
Swift’s satirical works served as a means of combating social and political injustice. He
openly criticized the political leaders, religious figures, and societal shortcomings of his time.
His works convey the message: "Just as I laugh, so too will you laugh incessantly and
without hesitation."
Swift did not use satire merely for laughter but rather to make readers reflect on their
actions and reconsider their perspectives. One of his satirical works,
The Drapier’s Letters
,
defends Ireland’s economic independence.
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Through this work, Swift sharply criticizes Ireland’s dependence on the English
government and encourages his people towards socio-political activism. Satire and humor not
only enrich literature but are themselves enriched by it.
Additionally, his work
A Modest Proposal
exposes social injustices in a satirical form. In
this piece, Swift ironically suggests solving poverty by using children as food. Through this
outrageous idea, he unveils government indifference and the moral bankruptcy of society.
In
A Modest Proposal
, Swift employs satire with the following characteristics:
Sharpness and bitterness – Swift’s satirical style is extremely sharp and sometimes
ruthless, compelling the reader to think deeply.
Fantasy and symbolism – His works depict real events through fantastic elements,
making the satire even more impactful.
Universal themes – Swift’s works address issues that are not only relevant to his time but
also resonate with modern society.
Medieval parody literature was directly or indirectly connected to popular festive laughter
forms. For medieval parodists, everything was humorous without exception; laughter was as
universal as seriousness. It was directed at the entire world, history, society, and worldview.
One of Swift’s most famous satirical works,
A Modest Proposal
, was published in 1729.
The work highlights the issues of poverty and famine in Ireland. Swift’s satire in this
piece is bitter and sharp, forcing the reader into deep contemplation. In this work, he suggests
solving poverty by consuming children as food. While this proposal is absurd to the extreme, it
compels readers to reflect on Ireland’s economic and social problems. Through this, Swift
satirizes government indifference and the apathy of the wealthy towards famine.
Dialogue sometimes becomes contentious and argumentative, with interlocutors trying to
exert strong psychological influence on each other. In such situations, sarcasm, comparisons,
proverbs, sayings, and other expressive speech structures can be used to maintain the satirical
tone of the conversation. Sometimes, the subject of sarcasm may employ highly concealed,
meaningful, and implicitly rich speech acts. In such cases, the speaker may temporarily distract
the listener from reality, diminishing their awareness. At times, expressing dissatisfaction openly
may also be effective. Sarcasm is one of the stylistic tools that activate various speech acts in
dialogue. The primary goal of employing sarcastic speech acts is to influence the listener and
encourage action within the scope of that influence. Without an internal contradiction between
the expressed form and the intended meaning, a text with sarcastic content cannot be created.
Swift’s humor is not superficial; behind his laughter lies criticism. He forces
acknowledgment of social inequality in Ireland, the oppression by landlords, and widespread
poverty.
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A Modest Proposal
encourages readers to recognize the moral decay in society and
directs attention to the root causes of these issues. Through this work, Swift critiques the
following problems:
Government neglect – The failure to take real measures to address famine and economic
problems in Ireland.
The apathy of the wealthy – Swift satirizes the rich for their indifference and cruelty
towards the poor.
The moral decline of society – The work reveals the ethical crisis of humanity, as the
absurd proposal may be partially accepted as truth.
Jonathan Swift’s satire in
A Modest Proposal
is characterized by:
Sharpness and bitterness – His satirical style is extremely sharp and sometimes ruthless,
compelling the reader to think deeply.
Fantasy and symbolism – His works depict real events through fantastic elements,
making the satire even more impactful.
Universal themes – Swift’s works address issues that are not only relevant to his time but
also resonate with modern society.
Jonathan Swift’s satirical works play a significant role in exposing the social and moral
flaws of humanity.
A Modest Proposal
is a striking example of revealing tragedy through
laughter, demonstrating Swift’s satirical mastery. His works remain relevant not only in his own
era but also provide crucial lessons for modern society. Swift’s satirical approach continues to
provoke thought among readers today.
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