Comparison of the writing style of Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson - Research Paper Example

Comparison of the writing style of Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson ABSTRACT This paper contains the writing style of the writers of eighteenth century- Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson. This gives a brief comparison of the writing style of Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson. OBJECTIVE This paper is completed as a term paper for the course “Prose from Swift to Burke” (course code- 2312). INTRODUCTION In the history of English literature, the literature of the eighteenth century (1700-1800) is considered as the literature of the Augustan or Classic Age. Augustan was Roman king. At that time the literature flourished. In this century, the literature also flourished and became polished. Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson are among those incredible writers who polished the literature of that time. For the contribution of the writers like Pope, Swift, Johnson this age is regarded as the age of prose, the age of satire. They revived the classical age and it was known as the neo-classical age. Though the field of work of Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson was quite different, they had some similarities because of the influence of the age and certainly some dissimilarities. LITERATURE REVIEW Throughout ages comparisons of the writing styles of the writers are done. For example- “The Life of Cowley” by Samuel Johnson contains the comparison of the writing style of Cowley with the other metaphysical poets and Milton. “Samuel Johnson on Writing and Creative Doggedness” by Maria Popova contains the comparison of Samuel Johnson with Thomas Edison. METHODOLOGY For completing this paper secondary sources- books (History of English Literature), different articles (from web), pdfs were used. DISCUSSION Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) Jonathan Swift was unequivocally a writer of prose. Occasionally he wrote verse like his poems to Stella, his Legion Club and the Pindaric Odes. But they were not successful. Regarding his Odes, Dryden made him the remark, “Cousin Swift, you will never be a poet” (“The Prose Style of Jonathan Swift”, Web). Whereas, he was emphatically a prose writer. The famous prose works of Jonathan Swift include “The Tale of Tub” (1704), “Gulliver’s Travels” (1726), “A Modest Proposal” (1729). The Writing Style of Jonathan Swift i) FORCE AND SPIRIT: Swift's style is in no sense agreeable or dull. It bristles and shines now and again, and in its colloquial conciseness frequently helps us to remember the way of Carlyle. In some of his works which are ethically offensive and which as Mr. Stephen contends fairly “ought to have been burnt” this sharp component is generally evident. In an abstract sense, the style is, in this way, comprehensible. Its liveliness draws in to the scrutiny of it and we are not permitted to end up distinctly fatigued. ii) SATIRICAL POWER: Mockery itself is by all accounts exemplified in him. He was brought up a comedian. The component is in the blood and bone. It was his meat and toast to enjoy it. He does not enjoy anything more than this scholarly dismemberment of a casualty in cold blood. Swift says Taine, “has the genius of insult. He is an inventor of irony as Shakespeare is of poetry.” (“The Prose Style of Jonathan Swift”, Web). As he himself gladly solicits in one from his own particular sonnets- his was a respect which genuinely had a place with him and prose as to Dryden and Pope in verse. He knew where and when and whom to strike. Addison in one of his letters to Swift commends him for this nature of style. One of his insinuate companions talks about it as his “unlucky quality” in that it put him at the transfer of planning men. iii) INDIVIDUALITY AND INDEPENDENCE: Swift is extraordinary in identity and style. He was himself and no other one. Swift never endeavored entirely sensational composition. He appropriately communicates of himself a similar slant which Denham communicates of Cowley- “still a hint was never known,But what he wrote was all his own.” (“The Prose Style of Jonathan Swift”, Web). iv) GREAT UTILIZATION OF DIALECT: No other English essayist up to his time had a more true love for his local tongue than did Swift. In his Proposal, he regrets that “our language is less refined than those of Italy, Spain or France” (“The Prose Style of Jonathan Swift”, Web). Swift had easy and instinctive nature of expression. He is frank and open all over and in this regard broadly varies from such creators as Goethe, Schiller and Addison who received one way out in the open talk and very another in private. One of the clearest affirmations of this reality is, that in the Journal to Stella, containing Swift's private correspondence, there is no more noteworthy bluntness of proclamation than in his more open item particles. Swift had verbal plainness. One of the reasons for the ubiquity of "Gulliver Travel" is the basic and direct story style of the book. The plain depiction gives us the feeling that the creator is portraying which he has himself seen or experienced. v) FREEDOM FROM PEDANTRY & HYPOCRISY: As a story teller Swift is unsuppressed for his way to deal with the specialty of fiction he consolidates the lavishness of grown-up knowledge with the lucidity and straightforwardness of a youngster's brain. For example- the Gulliver’s Travels was lucid and straightforward. vi) CLEAR AND EXACT: As indicated by Matthew Arnold, the characteristics of good writing are ‘unfairly’, regularity, precision and balance.” These are precisely the characteristics of Swift's composition. He generally says plainly and decisively what he implies. Aitkin rightly says: “Swift’s style is very near perfection, clear, pointed, precise.” (“The Prose Style of Jonathan Swift”, Web). vii) ABSENCE OF LITERARY ELEGANCE: If Swift had been a purer man his abstract style would have been more appealing. Contrasting his writing now and Addison's, Lamb's or with that of Irving, its inadequacy is without a moment's delay seen. The surface of his soul was excessively gross and coarse. This imperfection is found in topic and in style alike. He talks about all points in a sort of harsh and prepared technique better adjusted as per the general inclination of the numerous than of the refined few. Subsequently he is never more at home as an exposition essayist than in the foul symbolism of Gulliver's Travels or in those unforgiving condemnations which he spills out against his political and religious enemies. viii) AN INFERIOR ORDER OF IMAGINATION: Imagination is a big faculty for poetry. But it is not less important for prose to save it from being prosaic. Swift was efficient in using allegory, wit and analogy but his imagination was inferior type. Here once more, the connection of psyche to character is imprinted. Such an imagination was absolutely outside to him nor might he be able to embrace it whenever advertised. The primary component of sublimity in a creator is the thing that Longinus terms - rise of soul. Of this the Irish Dean was void. There is a lack of a lofty poetic skill of representation as applied to prose, and as noticeable in the prose of Milton and Hooker. Sir Walter Scott mentioned regarding the imagination of Swift, “He never attempted any species of composition in which either the sublime or the pathetic was required of him.” (“The Prose Style of Jonathan Swift”, Web). Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) Next just to William Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson is maybe the most cited of English scholars. The last some portion of the eighteenth century is called, just, the Age of Johnson. Johnson was a writer, biographer, lexicographer, and a writer on feedback and ethics (The Rambler , The Idler ); he was the most persuasive scholarly figure of his lifetime in England, and he is the saint of a standout amongst the most acclaimed accounts at any point composed. The writing style of Samuel Johnson i) CRITICISM: A extensive piece of Johnson's criticism comprises in dismissing what he sees as consistent absurdities both in criticisms or in writing. One fundamental basic articulation is the prelude to his version of Shakespeare's works. His judgment on Shakespeare is like Dryden's. He perceives his significance regardless of being not able lessen him to his standards, and disregarding his esteem is regularly thin in passing judgment on him: he gripes that Shakespeare is not sufficiently moral. He complains for using puns, using of excess words. In any case, Shakespeare remains the best: with every one of his deformities, he is a drive of nature which no cautious essayist has would like to outperform. His principle work in criticism is found in “The Lives of the Poets” (1777), managing Savage, Cowley, Milton, Gray, Dryden and Pope, among numerous others. There is an adjust of history and feedback in this work, as Johnson is intrigued not only in the artist, but rather in the man all in all. ii) REALISM AND FORMALISM: Johnson regards realism as dangerous if it is not moral. Not everything in nature is fit for portrayal: art must mimic just those parts of nature which are fit for impersonation. He mostly adopted formalism in his writing. iii) FREE FROM PREJUDICE: Samuel Johnson was free of preference and ready to ascend to unceasing and extraordinary truths. He was a great observer. He said- “The business of a poet . . . is to examine, not the individual, but the species”. (“The Life of Cowley”) iv) SIMPLE AND WITTY: The writing of Johnson was simple and witty. According to him, representation of the general life of mankind can only please the reader. In his Preface to Shakespeare , Johnson asserts, “Nothing can please many, or please long, but just representations of general nature.” (“Preface to Shakespeare”, 330) v) ENLIGHTENMENT SPIRIT: In his writings, Johnson efficiently portrayed the spirit of enlightenment. He emphasized on reasons rather than emotions. He explained everything based on reason. vi) CATCH THE SENTIMENTS: Johnson is astoundingly touchy to the sentiments of people in general. His dialogs of dramatization are generally grounded on the sentiments or impacts of the gathering of people: he says that the contrast between a tragedy or a comedy relies on upon their impact, not their structure. vii) NEO-CLASSICIST: Johnson may have supported the standards of Neoclassicism, yet in all actuality he is a transitional commentator. There is frequently a crevice between Johnson's hypothetical ideas and his genuine basic judgements: his judgements appear to be free of the speculations he should apply. For example, he rehashes the customary Neoclassic perspective of style as ornament. He defends the thoughts of various levels of style. viii) FOLLOWER OF ARISTOTLE’S THEORY: Being a follower of Aristotle’s theory, Johnson believes that art is an imitation. It is the imitation of the nature, of the human life. The metaphysical poets did not copy anything. They were men of learning and whenever they got chance they expressed their wisdom. So, as per Johnson, the metaphysical poets cannot be called poets but “wits”. COMPARISON The period of Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson is called “The Age of Prose and Reason”. They went under the impact of the age—an age when creative energy and feelings were subordinated to reason and mind. Swift and Johnson both gave emphasis on reason. Emotions seldom mattered to them. Swift is a strong satirist of his time. Whereas, Samuel Johnson is a critic. Swift is the storm, roaring against the ice and frost of the late spring of English life. Swift strongly satirized the society, politics and religion prejudices of that time. Through his satire he strongly portrayed the faults of human. He expressed his bitter feeling against mankind. On the contrary, Samuel Johnson criticized the literary figures. He casted a new light to the study of the biographies. He was always neutral in his opinions and straightforward. For example- in the biography of Cowley by Dr. Sprat, Dr. Sprat omitted the profession of Cowley’s father as he was a grocer. But Johnson stated the fact as it was. Johnson revived the great writer of all ages, William Shakespeare. In eighteenth century, nobody liked Shakespeare. But through his “Preface to Shakespeare”, he beautifully painted the good sides as well as bad sides of the writings of Shakespeare. Johnson was a man of letters. He was very knowledgeable and the first one to make the English dictionary.The language of both Swift and Johnson was simple, direct and straightforward. Through their work they portrayed the love for their language. Both of them have an inferior order of imagination. Their writing consist of wit and portray the picture of real life. Their poems were also based on real life. For example- Johnson wrote a poem named “London” which gives the picture of London of that time. Johnson is the last essential critic of the neoclassicism, during a time where pre-Romantic thoughts are more broadly acknowledged than neoclassicism. Johnson is typically not so much one sided but rather more mixed than Pope in his affirmation of the neoclassical qualities. Additionally, in some cases Johnson's cases are conflicting: for example, he needs realism and poetic justice on stage together. Swift was also a neo-classical writer. Unlike Johnson, in his writings he was many times doggerel. Johnson had a firmly established personality, and an awesome craving for order and coherence. Be that as it may, he had next to no tolerance with whatever he saw to be false, pointless or vainglorious, and he made short work of numerous neoclassical partialities. He has turned into a significant character among literary critics, as an exemplification of English sound judgment and doubt of unclear deliberations or awesome hypothetical frameworks. In the personal life, Swift had some peculiarities and moral degradation. Swift also could not bear the false things. Through his writings, he expressed his grudge. Swift has the ability of presenting as a eyewitness of the most impossible events as real. The reader never loses the sense of reality. The prose of Swift is powerful and convincing. He gives reality to pygmies, giants, and the most impossible situations. He influenced Daniel Defoe, the writer of “Robinson Crusoe”. CONCLUSION Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson had their own distinctive style through which they played their role in the history of English literature. The role of Jonathan Swift in developing satire of English language and of Samuel Johnson in developing criticisms is worth mentioning. They contributed much for the development of the modern prose. Works Cited Adams, Michael. “What Samuel Johnson Really Did”. Humanities. September/ October, 2009. Web. Boswell “The life of Samuel Johnson”. Gutenberg. 1791. Web. Hunt, Theodore Whitefiald. “The Prose Style of Jonathan Swift”. The Prose Style of Jonathan Swift. n.d. Web. Johnson, Samuel. “The life of Cowley”. Friends Book Corner. Print. M, Muhammad. “Swift prose style Or Swift: a prose writer”. The best Note for All Students. 25 August, 2015. Web. RyanMM. “James Boswell on Samuel Johnson and Joseph Addison”. Everything2. N.d. Web. “Samuel Johnson on Writing and Creative Doggedness”. Brainpickings. N.d. Web. “Samuel Johnson, Writer 12 December, 1784”. Samuel Johnson, Writer 12 December, 1784.n.d. Web. < http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/20.html> “Samuel Johnson”. Samuel Johnson. N.d. Web. “Style Analysis: Samuel Johnson”. The JAMA Network. 1 January, 1968. Web. “SWIFT'S PROSE STYLE (GULLIVER TRAVEL) BY JONATHAN SWIFT”. Education Schools. 13 February 2016. Web. Read More