Critical Approaches to Teaching Swift (Volume 21)

This collection offers help in teaching the most challenging of eighteenth century British authors, Jonathan Swift. It contains the work of an outstanding group of contributors, from five countries, from small colleges and large universities, widely known Swift scholars as well as experienced teachers of Swift who have published little on him previously.
The book opens with a survey of approaches taken in Swift criticism of the twentieth century, followed by twenty essays reflecting a wide diversity of perspectives. Historical criticism places Swift in his Irish context, examines his political ideologies, a,id clarifies works by considering them in political and religious situations of their day. Essays using formalistic, generic, rhetorical, feminist, reader-response, poststructuralist, and pedagogical approaches explore Swift's methods and themes.
Behind the book lie the assumptions that teachers should be self-conscious about the critical approach or approaches they inevitably employ, and that the "conversation" between different approaches enriches understanding of both Swift and his works. Though designed to assist teachers at all levels, it also includes essays that every Swift specialist will find illuminating and provocative.