A Comparison of A Modest Proposal, Tartuffe, and Candide Essay

Writers use personality traits and events to change the classical ideals. Majority of the writers focus is to change peoples attitudes. Jonathan Swift, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moliere, Francois-Marie Arquet de Voltaire use characterization and plot to challenge the themes of the Neo-Classical period.   In A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift challenges the Neo-classical period by creating a sense of instability in their way of thinking. He attacks the society by carelessly endorsing cannibalism in hopes to do Ireland through their economic crisis. He demonstrates this by humbly proposing and assuring that a young healthy child, well nursed, is, at a year old, a nigh delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food. (Swift, 485) Implying that society should eat children shows that the individual (the child) is seen as an unimportant individual to society therefore, is not valued when considering an effective resolution to their situation. This provides criticism to the Neo-Cla ssical beliefs that society is to a greater extent important than the individual. The Neo-Classics logic and reasoning aspect is attacked by Swifts persuasion that eating a child is a valid response to help fix their oppression. His unveiling clearly states that his purpose is for Preventing the Children of poor People in Ireland, from being a Burden to their Parents or Country, and for making them beneficial to the Publick. (Swift 483) His reasoning for the proposal is ultimately well-to-do through his sound thinking that evidently has nothing to do with his feelings about the matter. The narrator than proceeds to give the audience justification of his statement, and therefore attempting to challenge the Neo-Classics position that logic a... ...s. Dr. Panglosss blind optimistic approach allows him to forget about the fighting that is occurring amongst people and he only sees love.   Satirical approaches to writing were used to change the beguiled way of think ing during the late 17th and 18th centuries. The Neo-Classic time period contributed in the expansion of peoples view of life.   Works Cited Swift, Jonathan. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. A Modest Proposal. W.W> Norton & international ampere Company New York and London, 2002. 483-489. Moliere, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Tartuffe. W.W> Norton & Company New York and London, 2002. 313-361. Voltaire, Francois-Marie Arquet de Voltaire. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Candide. W.W> Norton & Company New York and London, 2002. 520-580.