A Satirical Elegy On The Death Of A Late Famous General

Simple break down of the poem 'A Satirical Elegy Of The Death Of A Late Famous General" by Jonathan Swift.

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  • Created by: Katy
  • Created on: 10-12-12 10:21
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  • A Satirical Elegy On The Death Of A Late Famous General - Jonathan Swift
    • The first two lines are exclamative lines which starts the poem off on an element of mock horror both sarcastic and humourous.
    • 'Last loud trump' (Line 6) suggests that the sounds of the trumpets in battle have been replaced by something otherworldly.
      • This line is followed with connatation in line 7 & 8 of the final judgement and then the condement to Hell.
    • In line 9 there is an undertone of critism that he died in bed rather than on the battle field like all the soldiers under his control who were sent to their deathd in battle.
      • In Line 11 there are indications that the poet thought it inappropriate that he lived so long.
        • This is extended into line 13 where is suggests that he 'cumber'd' burdened the world for long enough.
    • The methaphors in lines 14 & 16 describe the General as living a full and self-centred life right to the end and the 'Stink' suggests that he left behind an unpleasant atmosphere.
    • Lines 17 - 22 show that nobody was grieving for him because of all the grief he caused people in life.
    • In lines 26 & 27 there is an exclamative metaphor which suggests that the General did nothing t5o claim his title and he cared for nothing other than his earnings.
    • There is a form of volta in line 25 as he directly addresses the reader and gives a moral message about what happens in his opinion to shallow and uncaring people and warns to beware of pride.
    • The concrete noun 'dirt' used in the last line has an intertextual reference to 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust', generally read at funerals, with the included connatations of filth and disgust.

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Taaha29

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Very helpful!

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