Swift :: essays research papers

spry wrote plain perfection of prose. Comment.Many critics handle William Deans Howells T.S. Eliot etc. have called Jonathan Swift the greatest writer of prose akin T.S. Eliot says that Swift, the greatest writer of English prose, and the greatest man who has ever written great English prose.But there are reasons for this greatness. One of the main reasons is that Swift wrote in a very plain and downright style. He didnt use any embellishments. At times, when Swift was writing serious stuff this same plain style appears dry but when writing humorously, this same plainness gives his wit a singular edge. Swift didnt use ornate or rhetorical language he said what he had to in simply without any affectation as Hugh Blair saysHis style is of the plain and transparent kind thaw of all affectation, and all superfluity perspicuous, manly and pure.And at times, his style appears so simple that its seems like anybody with a little sense of writing could write like him but in this same s imple ness of manner lies Swifts greatness like Scott saysSwifts style seems so simple that ace would think any child might write as he does, and yet if we try we find to our own despair that it is impossible.This same simpleness of style in Gullivers Travels corresponds to the naivet and simplicity of Gulliver. Another important feature of Swifts prose is that he uses the common touch. In other words, everybody can commiserate his language that is why even children can read his books with so much enjoyment. Also, Swift addresses people as rational and political beings, making them his equals. For example, in Drapiers Letters Swift uses the same language of the class which he is addressing i.e. rough and shrewd. Swift doesnt write long sentences or speeches or difficult words. And he familiarizes with the people by using their own simple and at times coarse language. Invention or imagination is an aspect witch makes Swift one of the greatest English writers. J.J. Hogan saysOne of Swifts greatest outlets, of course, was invention.Although Swift has used many non-sensical and imaginary words, but these imaginary words have an underlying meaning. For example, Lindalino indicates Dublin, Nardac when broken down in German Narr (meaning fool) and doch (meaning still) turns into still a fool. Hekinah Degul can be translated, on grounds of similarity of sound, turns into What in the hellion.