A Comparison of A Modest Proposal, Tartuffe, and Candide
Writers use personality traits and events to change the classical ideals. Majority of the writer s focus is to
change people s attitude s. 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 help 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 most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food. ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Swift demands the audience to recognize the narrator s purpose having no other motive than the public good
of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infant s, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure
to the rich. (Swift 489) The speaker optimistically believes that his idea is for the best. If Swift did not
believe that his idea would not have a positive outcome he would not have suggested. Regardless of Swift s
inhumane suggestion, which is negative, he only tries to reveal the positive of the situation. This feeling of
insecurity is his way of disparaging the Irish and English government.
In Tartuffe, Moliere s use s plot to defend and oppose characters that symbolize and ridicule habitual
behavior s that was imposed during the neo classical time period. His work, known as a comedy of
manners, consists of flat characters, with few and similar traits, and that always restore some kind of peace
in the end. He down plays society as a whole by creating a microseism, where everyone in the family has to
be obedient, respectful, and mindful of the head of the home, which is played by the father Orgon. Mariane
shows her obedience when she replies To please you, sir, is what delights me best. (Moliere 324,11) Shortly
afterwards, Orgon commands Mariane to take Tartuffe as her husband even though she is not interested in
him at all. Orgon s command shows how men are dominate
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...