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Chapter 40 - Colonialism

from Part VI - Social and Intellectual Topics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2024

Joseph Hone
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Pat Rogers
Affiliation:
University of South Florida
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Summary

This chapter examines Swift’s complex relationship to colonialism. Arguing that we cannot understand Swift’s anti-colonialism as part of what we might think of as some kind of progressive or liberatory project, the chapter explores the seeming inconsistency of his contemptuous attitude towards colonised peoples (particularly the ‘Savage Irish’). The colonisation and oppression of Ireland, and his complex position as both beneficiary and subject of it, is important to Swift’s writings. But this background also makes it difficult to pin down precise ideological positions or find straightforward political analogies or critiques in his works. The chapter concludes with an extended reading of Gulliver’s Travels, situating it in the broader context of debates around colonialism

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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  • Colonialism
  • Edited by Joseph Hone, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Pat Rogers, University of South Florida
  • Book: Jonathan Swift in Context
  • Online publication: 02 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108917254.048
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  • Colonialism
  • Edited by Joseph Hone, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Pat Rogers, University of South Florida
  • Book: Jonathan Swift in Context
  • Online publication: 02 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108917254.048
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Colonialism
  • Edited by Joseph Hone, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Pat Rogers, University of South Florida
  • Book: Jonathan Swift in Context
  • Online publication: 02 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108917254.048
Available formats
×