| Author |
Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745 |
| Editor |
Morley, Henry, 1822-1894 |
| Title |
The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 63.2 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Credits |
Transcribed from the 1886 Cassell & Company edition by David Price
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| Summary |
"The Battle of the Books" by Jonathan Swift is a satirical work composed in the late 17th century. It addresses the contemporary debate over the merits of ancient versus modern authors, presenting it through an imaginative lens that pits the two factions against each other in a literal battle of books. The essay captures the intellectual climate of Swift's time, with lively references to historical figures and literary works, creating a vibrant narrative that is both humorous and thought-provoking. At the start of the text, readers are introduced to the background of Jonathan Swift, his early life, and the context in which he wrote this piece. The opening portion outlines Swift's humble beginnings and his relationships, especially with a young girl named Esther, who would become significant to his life. The narrative develops the premise of a debate between the Ancients and the Moderns, set in the King's Library, where anthropomorphized books prepare for conflict. Key characters are introduced, including notable authors and philosophers, as tensions rise over literary supremacy, setting the stage for Swift's blend of satire, commentary on literary criticism, and exploration of themes such as knowledge, intellectual pride, and the nature of literary value. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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| Subject |
English essays
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| Subject |
Satire, English
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| Subject |
Ancients and moderns, Quarrel of
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
623 |
| Release Date |
Aug 1, 1996 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Sep 3, 2010 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
1352 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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