A Satirical Elegy On The Death Of A Late Famous General Flashcards
What do the exclamatory phrases ‘His Grace!’ and ‘impossible!’ express?
They express disbelief, heightening the dramatic irony of the poem.
How does syntactic disruption reflect societal expectations in the poem?
It mirrors the disruption of societal expectations regarding the general’s death, critiquing the aristocratic hierarchy.
What does ‘His Grace’ represent in the poem?
‘His Grace’ represents the language of aristocratic deference, manipulated ironically to show the futility of such titles in the face of death.
What literary device is used in the line ‘Of old age too, and in his bed!’?
Bathos, which juxtaposes the death of a heroic figure with mundane circumstances.
What is the significance of the anticlimax in the line about the general dying ‘in his bed’?
It emphasizes the banal nature of death, contrasting with the glorified image of the general.
What does the rhetorical question ‘And could that mighty warrior fall,’ suggest?
It emphasizes disbelief and highlights the incongruity between the general’s perceived invulnerability and his actual demise.
What does the juxtaposition of ‘mighty warrior’ and ‘fall’ imply?
It invokes the paradox of strength and vulnerability, undermining the concept of military valor.
What antithesis is presented in the line ‘And so inglorious, after all?’
It contrasts the expected glory of the general with the inglorious reality of his death.
How does the word ‘inglorious’ function in the poem?
It serves as verbal irony, mocking the anticlimactic nature of the general’s death.
What does the phrase ‘Well, since he’s gone, no matter how’ convey?
It introduces a dismissive tone, underscoring the irrelevance of circumstances in death.
What metaphor is present in the line ‘The last loud trump must wake him now;’?
The ‘loud trump’ is a metaphor for the Last Judgment, signaling moral reckoning.
What irony is suggested by linking the general’s death with the sound of a ‘trump’?
It subverts heroic imagery by suggesting that the general faces moral judgment rather than exaltation.
What does the imagery of ‘noise’ growing stronger represent?
It signifies the increasing scrutiny and moral reckoning of the general’s legacy.
What literary device is used in ‘And, trust me, as the noise grows stronger?’
Anaphora, which builds intensity and mirrors escalating judgment.
How is death personified in ‘He’d wish to sleep a little longer.’?
Death is personified as a form of ‘sleep’ that the general desires to extend.
What existential theme is suggested by the line about wishing to ‘sleep longer’?
It reflects a desire to escape the consequences of one’s actions, hinting at moral cowardice.
What skepticism is expressed in ‘And could he be indeed so old’?
It challenges the perception of the general’s age, mocking the constructs of public image.
What critique does the reference to ‘newspapers’ provide?
It critiques the media’s role in constructing and inflating public figures’ identities.
What does the phrase ‘Threescore, I think, is pretty high;’ imply?
It uses litotes to downplay the significance of the general’s age.
What moral imperative is suggested in ‘Twas time in conscience he should die!’?
It implies that the general’s death was a moral necessity, reflecting societal retribution.
What euphemism is used in ‘This world he cumber’d long enough;’?
It implies that the general’s presence was a burden, suggesting his life was detrimental.
What metaphor is present in ‘He burnt his candle to the snuff;’?
The candle symbolizes the life force, and ‘snuff’ represents its extinguishing.
What themes does the candle metaphor evoke?
It evokes themes of finality, waste, and the fleeting nature of life.
What were Jonathan Swift’s political views?
Jonathan Swift was a prominent critic of political corruption and the Whig and Tory factions. His sharpest critiques were aimed at the Whigs, reflecting his disillusionment with the political establishment.
What was the political climate during the time Swift wrote his poem?
The poem was written during the reign of George II, a period marked by political tension between the ruling Whigs and the opposition Tories, mocking the culture of hero worship.
Who is the ‘famous general’ referenced in Swift’s poem?
The ‘famous general’ is often thought to be John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, a celebrated military leader whose later years were marked by political criticism.
What economic context influenced Swift’s writing?
Swift wrote during a time of war that drained England’s resources, reflecting the economic burden on common people due to excessive taxation and destruction of war.
How did Swift critique war profiteering?
Swift criticized the economic exploitation during war, contrasting the glorification of wealthy generals with the suffering of ordinary citizens who bore the financial costs.
What does Swift’s poem say about vanity and fame?
The poem reflects a social tendency to glorify those who achieve wealth and status through military victories, often ignoring the economic toll on the populace.
What are Swift’s religious views as expressed in his works?
As an Anglican clergyman, Swift included religious themes in his satire, mocking the elevation of military heroes to saint-like status despite their questionable morals.
What irony does Swift highlight regarding the afterlife of military figures?
Swift mocks the public’s blind admiration of military figures, suggesting they may not deserve divine favor despite their accomplishments, reflecting his skepticism towards moral authority.
How does Swift’s poem critique social hierarchies?
The poem challenges the reverence for military elites, suggesting that idolizing generals overlooks the suffering of the lower classes.
What is the heroic ideal critiqued in Swift’s poem?
The poem mocks the public’s tendency to elevate military figures to heroic status, questioning the moral integrity of such heroes.
What moral hypocrisy does Swift address in his poem?
Swift critiques a society that glorifies war and military figures while neglecting virtues like compassion and justice.
What are Swift’s personal views as a satirist?
Swift is regarded as a prominent satirist, critical of societal corruption, misuse of power, and hypocrisy in political and religious institutions.
How did Swift’s experiences shape his views on war?
Having lived through wars, Swift was disillusioned with the glorification of military figures, critiquing the worship of violence and political manipulation.
What cynicism does Swift express toward public sentiment?
The poem reflects Swift’s cynicism about society’s blind following of popular opinion, prioritizing the glorification of a general’s death over moral consequences.
What is the satirical tradition that influenced Swift?
Swift was influenced by the satirical tradition, using humor to expose societal flaws, and subverting the elegy genre to mock the general’s death.
How does Swift use irony and hyperbole in his poem?
Swift employs irony and hyperbole, exaggerating the elevation of a general to divine status and suggesting public mourning is undeserved.
Which classical satirists influenced Swift’s work?
Swift was influenced by classical writers like Horace and Juvenal, using sharp criticism and mockery to convey his moral and political views.
