The Personality of Jonathan Swift

Originally published in 1958 and then updated with a substantial Appendix in 1969 which discusses the meaning of Gulliver’s last voyage, this book shows how Swift’s personality could enter into his work. It also discusses some of the false traditions concerning Swift such as that of a secret marriage. Among other topics that the book covers are Swift’s treatment of women and his politics and religion: the first as it relates to his philosophy of history and the second as it affects Gulliver’s Travels and the so-called scatological poems. The allegations of obscenity and madness are the themes of two further chapters.