| It is nothing more than the dumping site of human beings. People regard the city as the source of civilization, prosperity, jobs and opportunities, but in reality, city life is just the opposite of what the people generally think about. Topic: In this paper, I want you to demonstrate how the overall meaning of any one poem is reflected at the local or micro level in the poet’s versification. Did you know… We have over 220 college Satire is a genre dedicated to literary or social criticism through the use of comedic elements. 'A Description of a City Shower' was written in 1710 by Jonathan Swift, a renowned Irish author of works like Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal. Study.com Demo for Workforce College Accelerator, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. These people are compared with the terrified Greek Heroes hiding in the Trojan Horse. An error occurred trying to load this video. The Last Volume(1728), where the poem is subtitled an “imitation of Virgil’s Georg… Beginning of dialog window. A Description of a City Shower By Jonathan Swift. PLAY. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. Most of the time, this dirt is hidden and it becomes obvious especially at the time of the shower. Start studying A Description of a City Shower. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} Even though they're safe, and even though it's only rain, Swift compares these cowering men to frightened Greek heroes hiding in the Trojan Horse. Jonathan Swift, the renowned Irish author of works like Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal, may not write about groundhogs, but he does describe several other indicators of a coming storm in his 1710 poem 'A Description of a City Shower.'. First appearing in the Tatler magazine in October of that same year, the poem was considered his best poem. First appeared in the magazine Tatler in October the same year the poem was considered his best poem. "A Description of a City Shower" is a 1710 poem by Anglo-Irish poet Jonathan Swift. He uses several literary techniques to get his point across. The ancient piece here is actually the Roman poet Vergil's Georgic I, which belongs to his collection (Georgics) of pastoral poetry - which are verse works concerning the homes and activities of shepherds, farmers, or other rural folk. Some ladies just act as shopping, some hide under the umbrella, and even the people from different political parties get shelter under the same roof during the shower. Swift jokingly describes them as being like drops of water flung from the twirling mop of a woman of ill-repute. In fact, Swift sees these people as so far gone that they can only react to a situation once it's already right on top of them, instead of being able to recognize the warning signs that he gives. He uses rain instead of other natural calamities just to prove that people come together just in the slightest adverse situation. triumphant Tories and desponding Whigs/ forget their feuds and join to save their wigs. Privacy and Cookie Policy The editor of a 1735 edition of Swift's writings claimed that by using the triplet and alexandrine in such low manner, Swift ended its use permanently. It has two buttons, one for educators that takes you to the educator sign up page and one for students that takes you to another modal which allows you to enter your class code for your enrolled class. The prime theme of the poem is the absurd effort of the Londoners to live up with the so called classical languages and situations. - Calculation & Overview. Swift agreed: "they think its the best thing I ever wrote, and I think so too". flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? just create an account. Eliot: Theme & Literary Devices, Auto Wreck by Karl Shapiro: Summary & Analysis, Biological and Biomedical Jonathan Swift uses the commonplace occurrence of a brief rain to illustrate the various elements of London’s urban scene. These women might be a contrast to 'Brisk Susan,' who hurriedly takes down her laundry on the line. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. The unpleasant imagery such as the description of gutters are used in the first half of the poetry so as to make a contrast with the form of the pastoral poetry. While rain depends, the pensive cat gives o'er Her frolics, and pursues her tail no more. Careful observers may foretell the hour (By sure prognostics) when to dread a show'r. It describes the reactions of city folk to the weather, allowing Swift to mock habits and show some of humanity’s foibles. 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