Post about J Swift. Jonathan Swift, short biography
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“He who goes to bed with dogs wakes up in the morning with their fleas.”
Nowadays the Flea Market can rather be called a wholesale antiques market. That romantic time has already become a thing of the past when antique dealers came to the Flea Market early on Saturday morning, even before it opened, and rummaged through heaps of junk, illuminating with flashlights everything that Parisian junk dealers - “brocantes” - tumbled out of their trucks and vans. That's what they are called in French. These are the people who collect or buy everything that residents want to throw out of their basements or attics. There are only a few of these real junk dealers left at the Saint-Ouen Flea Market - about two or three dozen.
Even in France, two other forms and opportunities to get rid of old things have appeared and are thriving.
The first form is to give these things to the society of the companions of Emmaus. These things are sold there, and the money goes to help the disadvantaged.
The second form is the so-called “vide-grenier” - operations for cleaning attics or basements. Such markets are organized once a year in every town, village, or district of the city.
In 1880, the prefect of Paris by the name of Pubel ordered iron garbage boxes to be placed on the streets of the city, in which residents were obliged to put everything thrown out onto the streets. This struggle for urban cleanliness and hygiene became the impetus for at least two historical events Parisian life.
The first of these is the appearance in French the words "poubelle". This is the word for “garbage bin” in French. (The word “urn” also exists in French, but is used in other meanings: “urn with ashes” and “ballot box”).
The second event is the gradual displacement of junk dealers from Paris. Many of them settled in the suburb of Saint-Ouen, but the inhabitants of this suburb also fought for the cleanliness of the streets and hygiene. As a result, in 1886, the first civilized market for the sale of used items arose, which was called “Flea Market”.
So why the Flea Market? Why not “lousy” or “cockroach”, or just “crush”, or “flea market”?
One of the assumptions can be found in the book of Jean Bedel, one of the most authoritative experts in the field of the history of Paris and, in particular, the Flea Market. The author connects the origin of the meaning of this expression with the French proverb “He who goes to bed with dogs wakes up in the morning with their fleas.” The meaning of the proverb is that bad, wrong actions necessarily have undesirable consequences. Just like dog fleas, you can become infected with something else, for example, by reselling things or searching among old things for real valuables that ignorant people throw in trash heaps.
They tell how a certain junk dealer named Davydoff bought paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec at the Flea Market, which were thrown into the trash by his relatives, and became rich, and daguerreotypes were also accidentally bought at the Flea Market famous photographer Nadara. But this is only one component of the etymological assumptions.
The second part is more specific. Doesn't a person who rummages through a pile of old things resemble in his behavior someone who is looking for fleas?
There is a third circumstance - purely French and purely linguistic. This is euphony. In French, the phrase “marché aux puces” is perceived as euphonious. It sounds more pleasant to the ear than, for example, “marché aux cafards” - “cockroach market”
And one more circumstance in which the name Flea Market appeared was an accident. Researchers and eyewitnesses claim that this expression was once accidentally dropped by someone in a conversation and everyone liked it, and therefore it stuck. As for its deep essence, no one really delved into it. Let us add that in its printed (not folklore) form the expression “flea market” first appeared not in newspapers, but in inscriptions on postcards. The fashion for postcards began to spread just at the end of the 19th century, precisely in those years when the first more or less civilized Parisian flea market appeared in the suburb of Saint-Ouen, receiving such unusual name- Swap meet.
To the question Where did the name "flea market" come from? given by the author ....Marishka.... the best answer is that flea markets are flea markets - places where traders of all sorts of things gather, where not new things are put up for sale, but various old things that you don’t want to keep at home, and it’s a pity to throw away: clothes, furniture, books, dishes, trinkets, etc. At flea markets, if you're lucky, you can find valuable antiques sold at bargain prices due to their, to put it mildly, not the most best condition. The world's first flea market - the famous Parisian Clignancourt - appeared during the time of Napoleon. The lines of junk dealers selling on the capital's boulevards did not fit in with what he had planned. architectural appearance Paris. Then they decided to gather them in one block, in the north of the city, on the square in front of the gates of the Porte de Clignancourt fortress. Because of the fleas in the piles of junk, the market was immediately dubbed flea markets (marche aux puces), and this name stuck with all European flea markets
Answer from LeLya[guru]
Flea market Material from Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia Flea market in Germany A flea market (French Marche aux puces, English Flea market) is a place where people sell and buy old, used things, usually made many years ago. The goods are usually quite inexpensive, and their quality depends on several factors, such as the place of manufacture, the method (by hand or in a factory), the current popularity of the item, as well as the size of the flea market itself. Where did the name "Flea Market" come from? A large number of flea markets in rural areas offer second-hand goods to buyers. Wide choose Newer and, as a rule, inexpensive items are offered mainly by urban markets. Decades ago they were used to sell bootlegs, films or music; and even counterfeit products: clothes, shoes, bags, perfumes, etc. Their semi-spontaneous nature, location is often in the city center under open air and focus on ordinary people distinguishes flea markets from stores that buy stolen items. Some flea markets host live music concerts and even mini-carnivals in order to attract buyers. Some TV shows often draw attention to the used items that are bought at such markets and, very rarely - it does happen - that the item costs much more than the buyer paid for it. Among the popular ones, it is worth noting the British “Antiques Roadshow” program, which already has analogues in the USA, Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands. One of the most real flea markets is most likely the Marche aux puces in Saint-Ouen (Seine-Saint-Denis district in northern suburbs of Paris). This is a large bazaar on a vast territory, one of four similar in Paris. The markets get their name from the food they sell. old clothes, which was all moth-eaten and infested with fleas. Since the end of the 17th century, similar remarkable markets under open air in the city of Saint-Ouen they began to organize with tables and benches in the fields and various “market squares” where junk dealers and rag pickers sold or exchanged their goods for little money. The culture of “flea markets” became widespread in Germany (where they are called Flohmarkt) and in Russia (“flea market”). The most famous flea markets in Russia are near the railway stations Mark (Moscow) and Udelnaya (St. Petersburg).
Answer from Marina[newbie]
"The concept itself has existed for thousands of years, but the origin modern name considered controversial. According to English-language Wikipedia, the term appeared no earlier than the beginning of the 19th century, with the appearance of similar markets in New York ("Fly Market" - 1800s) or Paris (marche aux puces (flea market) - 1860). Despite the fact that the Russian flea market arose earlier, we will not dispute the primacy in inventing the name, although it could have come into French from our Sukharevka."
Answer from AT[guru]
The first flea market appeared in England, and the kings started this business, and since there was no culture of hygiene, all the royal clothes were covered in fleas.
Answer from Alexander L[guru]
In the Middle Ages, during the plague epidemic in London, which destroyed almost the entire population, the things of the dead were sold in markets, which were called flea markets. (Fleas are the main transmission link of the bubonic plague epidemic)
Answer from Best[master]
This name comes from Paris. Marché aux puces. Swap meet. Warehouse, museum, treasury. A place where they sell time, where they sell nostalgia and sell off the past piece by piece. There is everything here: books, fireplace grates and fireplace tongs, irons, birdcages, bottles, cups and glasses, enamel teapots and copper coffee pots, postcards, various papers, dolls, figurines, crucifixes, old photographs and photo albums, plastic beads and African masks, deer antlers and bronze paperweights, kerosene lamps and wooden coffee grinders, sugar tongs and felt hats, bowlers and top hats, canes, umbrellas, boxes and cases, cases, toys, musical instruments and sheet music, lorgnettes, suitcases, boxes, tables and chairs, tables and foot pillows, handles from forever closed doors and keys to lost locks, engravings, boas, pencil drawings and watercolors, mannequin heads, rosary beads, pots, basins, cast iron pokers, Russian samovars and Chinese fans, mirrors (from hand to wall), clocks, cameras, picture frames and the paintings themselves (with or without frames), mysterious details, pieces, scraps... Fragments of a bygone life. Fragments of someone else's life. A giant collage of dead things. A caravanserai, where everyone has their own seller, where no one will be left without a purchase, where you can buy a pompous marble table for 1000 euros, or you can limit yourself to a nostalgic green bottle of Calvados for 10. Here no one will be disappointed. Marché aux puces is not just a market, it is also a theater, a masquerade, a photographer's paradise. I don't know where the sellers come from here. Sorbonne, College de France? A special breed of people. Perfect French. Gentle manners. Old-fashioned mustache for men. Ladies have small dogs. An educated, wealthy (it seems) public. Originals. Red wine. Books. Glasses.
The sharp pen of the Irish and English philosopher and satirist Jonathan Swift made a lot of noise during the years of his life. The writer was remembered by his contemporaries as the author of pamphlets endowed with deep irony, and became famous throughout the world for his novel Gulliver's Travels. Swift always hid under pseudonyms or did not indicate authorship at all, but readers certainly recognized him by his exceptional style.
Childhood and youth
The future writer was born in Dublin on November 30, 1667 - two months after the death of his father, a minor judicial official. The boy got his parent's name - Jonathan. The widow of Swift Sr. was left with two children in her arms and no means of subsistence; moreover, the newborn turned out to be an extremely sick child with a congenital pathology.
After suffering for some time, the mother decided to give Jonathan to be raised by the wealthy brother of her late husband, Godwin Swift, who was in good standing in the law society.
The boy graduated from the best gymnasium in Ireland, “Kilkenny”, school years I was having a hard time - I had to forget about the free but poor life, adapting to the strict conditions of the gymnasium. At the age of 14, Jonathan entered Trinity College at the University of Dublin, from where he left with a bachelor's degree and a persistent aversion to science.
Literature
The writer's creative biography began during a forced move to England. My uncle went bankrupt, and in his homeland there was a fire Civil War. Jonathan Swift had to earn his own bread, and under the patronage of his mother, he took up the post of secretary to the rich man and diplomat William Temple. The aspiring writer was given a free pass to the employer’s reputable library.
Temple was visited by prominent figures and representatives of the bohemians of that time, communication with whom also paved the way for Swift's talent as a writer. The young poet, namely from poetry and short essays, Jonathan entered literature, and later helped his benefactor write memoirs.
From Britain, Swift returned to his homeland twice. In 1694, the young man, having completed his master's degree at Oxford, took holy orders in the Anglican Church and became a priest in the church of a small Irish village. And a little later he continued his service in the capital’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. At the same time, he became the author of bright, sharp political pamphlets on the topic of the day.
However, Jonathan quickly became tired of the duties of a priest, and he came to England again. Here from his pen came a series of poems, as well as the parables “The Battle of the Books” and “The Tale of the Barrel.” Last piece became very popular - the people loved him, and the church cruelly condemned him, although the writer did not think of criticizing religion, he simply parodied pride.
I wonder what own creativity the writer did not intend to advertise - all works were published anonymously. In the future, Jonathan Swift did not change this idea. However, everyone around knew who the author of these satirical books, poems and opuses was.
The heyday of the writer's satirical talent occurred in the 1710s. Jonathan Swift gained financial independence as Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral and quietly enjoyed his literary career. His poems, pamphlets and articles were filled with anger at the social injustice reigning in society, criticism of government and religion. In 1720 central theme creativity becomes the problem of Irish autonomy, which the British mercilessly tried to ruin.
People's love and veneration fell upon Jonathan after the anonymous “Letters from a Clothmaker,” which came out of the printing presses in thousands of copies. They called for ignoring British money and not buying goods made in Britain. A wave of indignation arose, so much so that London was forced to change the governor, who appointed a reward to the one who identified the author of the “Letters.”
Attempts to find those responsible were futile, and England had to make economic concessions. After these events, Swift was elevated to the rank of a national hero; all of Dublin was covered with his portraits. Soon another scandal broke out, this time over harsh statements on the topic of poverty. The writer advised the government, which is unable to feed the younger generation, to sell children for meat and leather.
For working on the most famous novel about travel Swift settled down in the early 20s of the 18th century. First two books fantastic work ridiculing human vices and the imperfections of society, were published in 1726, and a year later readers received two more volumes. The ship's doctor Gulliver gets acquainted with the morals and customs of the countries of Lilliputians, giants and intelligent horses, finds himself on a flying island, a state of sorcerers, immortal people, and even in Japan, which was closed to Europeans at that time.
The tetralogy was a resounding success, later becoming a classic of literature and an inspiration for dozens of directors. Even the books reached Russia relatively quickly: in 1772 they were translated from French writer Erofei Karzhavin. Initially, the novel had a voluminous title, however, this is an almost exact translation of the original - “Gulliver’s Travels to Lilliput, Brodinyaga, Laputa, Balnibarba, the Houyhnhnms Country or to the Horses.”
Personal life
Jonathan Swift's personal life is quite strange. The writer was tied up romantic relationship with two girls whose names were the same - Esther.
During the years of working for Temple, the young man met the 8-year-old daughter of the maid Esther Johnson in his house. The age difference of 15 years did not prevent them from making friends: Jonathan became the mentor and teacher of the girl, whom he called Stella, and in the future, his lover. While separated, the author of “Gulliver” wrote tender, heartfelt letters to the girl every day, which after his death turned into the book “Diaries for Stella.”
After the death of her mother, the orphaned Esther moved to Ireland, settling in the house of her beloved, although to those around her the girl was no more than the writer’s pupil. Biographers suggest that the couple even got married in 1716, but official confirmations this fact was never received.
Another woman Swift has been spotted with love relationships from 1707, called Esther Vanhomry. Orphan girl with light hand Jonathan's nickname was Vanessa. Touching, sad letters are also dedicated to her.
Vanessa died of tuberculosis in 1723, followed by Stella five years later. The writer grieved the loss of his beloved women; these tragedies undermined his health, both physical and mental. But the man still had a long way to go in life.
Death
For several years before his death, Jonathan Swift suffered from mental illness. In letters to friends he complained about Bad mood and all-consuming sorrow. The mental disorder progressed, and in 1742 the writer suffered a stroke and was completely incapacitated - he could not move and lost his speech. The man was appointed a guardian. The satirist died in his homeland in October 1745.
Swift prepared for his death back in 1731 by writing the poem “Poems on the Death of Doctor Swift,” in which he outlined his own credo - “to cure human depravity” with cruel laughter. In 1940, the writer wrote an epitaph that was then engraved on the tombstone, and he also bequeathed almost all his savings to the construction of a hospital for the mentally ill. Soon after the writer’s death, the “St. Patrick’s Hospital for Imbeciles” was built, the doors of which are still open.
Bibliography
- 1697 - "Battle of the Books"
- 1704 - “The Tale of a Barrel”
- 1710-1714 - “Diary for Stella”
- 1726 - “Gulliver's Travels”
Jonathan Swift was born in Ireland in 1667. His parents were among the English colonialists who were hated indigenous people. That's why future writer I felt in my homeland as if I were in a foreign land.
Since childhood, he was deprived of parental affection and care. The father died before the birth of his son, and the mother, entrusting her one-year-old baby to the care of a nurse, went to England, where she lived until the end of her days. Jonathan was raised by his uncle Godwin.
Education and the beginning of creativity
Swift received his education at the University of Dublin, which was famous for its traditions of teaching literature, ancient languages and theological sciences. This is where Jonathan got carried away literary creativity. After graduating from university, a talented, educated, but poor young man could only choose between the professions of a lawyer and a church minister. Swift decided to become a priest.
Political unrest in Ireland soon forced the writer to leave for England. There he got a job as a secretary to Lord William Temple, a wealthy aristocrat. Communication with politicians and writers gave Swift the opportunity to stay informed latest news public and cultural life England, and a luxurious library helped him fill the gaps in his education. In less than ten years in the service of Lord Temple, Swift became a professional writer, which marked his first mature satirical works- “Battle of the Books” and “Tale of a Barrel.”
Swift put his name on the cover of the book, even though criticism could harm the author's career. Despite the danger, Swift consistently came out with satirical poems, articles and pamphlets, in which he ridiculed the vices of secular and church life.
Political career
Jonathan Swift was in the center of London political life: attended numerous receptions in palaces, met with ministers and public figures, plunged into the struggle between the two main political parties England - Tories and Whigs. Political activity And artistic creativity strengthened his popularity. And the authorities found a way to get rid of him: Swift was appointed dean (rector) of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.
The writer perceived this appointment as political exile and the collapse of all his hopes. But even far from the English capital, Swift continued to expose the insanity of existing laws, the fraud of businessmen, and the hypocrisy of politicians. In new pamphlets, he defended the rights of the Irish people, who suffered under the yoke of the English crown. In one of his most famous pamphlets, “Letters from a Clothmaker,” the writer openly called on the Irish to fight for freedom. J. Swift became national hero Ireland.
The last years of Swift’s life were overshadowed by a serious illness; the writer died in 1745. The meaning of Jonathan Swift’s life is accurately conveyed by the epitaph composed by himself: “Here lies the body of Jonathan Swift, dean of this cathedral, and severe indignation no longer tears his heart. Go, traveler, and imitate, if you can, the one who courageously fought for the cause of freedom.”
"Gulliver's Travels"
This is Swift's main work. Today Gulliver's Travels is generally perceived as literary fairy tale. But J. Swift did not write his book for children at all and least of all wanted to please the public with frivolous inventions. Under the guise of simple-minded stories from the ship's doctor Lemuel Gulliver, the writer outlined his own thoughts regarding the socio-political life of England and the development of mankind in general. The allegorical content of the plot of Gulliver's Travels was satirical image contemporary reality for the author.
The book consists of four parts. In each of them the writer chooses new item for criticism. Schematically, the plot can be represented as follows:
- The land of Lilliputians. The baseness and meaninglessness of social orders.
- Country of giants. Horrible power power, the other bloody side of human history.
- Laputa, Balnibarba, Lagneg and other countries. The sterility of science divorced from life.
- The country of the Houyhnhnms (intelligent horses) and Yahoos (feral people). Unreasonable and immoral behavior of the human community.
Each part of the book contains criticism of a specific area human life, and at the end of the story it seems as if the writer leaves no stone unturned from the usual ideas about society, politics, state, power, science, morality. The writer considered ridicule a cure for the moral and social ills of humanity.
Irish satirist Jonathan Swift was born on November 30, 1667 in Dublin, Ireland. His father, also named Jonathan Swift, was a minor judicial official. He died two months before his son was born. Left without income, Swift's mother did her best to provide for her newborn child. In addition, Swift was very sick. It was later discovered that he suffered from Meniere's disease, a disease of the inner ear that causes nausea and hearing loss. Trying to give my son better education, Swift's mother gives it to Godwin Swift, the brother of her late husband, a member of the esteemed bar and judicial community of Gray's Inn. Godwin Swift sent his nephew to study at Kilkenny Grammar School (1674-1682), which was most likely the best in Ireland at that time. Swift's transition from a life of poverty to a strict environment in private school became a difficult task.
However, he quickly found a friend in William Congreve, a future poet and playwright.
At the age of 14, Swift began his undergraduate studies at Trinity College, Dublin University. In 1686 he received his bachelor's degree in humanities and continued his studies to obtain a master's degree. But unrest began in Ireland, and the king of Ireland, England and Scotland was soon overthrown. This civil revolution became known as the Glorious Revolution in 1688 and prompted Swift to move to England and start over there. His mother helped him get a job as a secretary for the revered English statesman, Sir William Temple. For 10 years, Swift worked at Moon Park in London as Temple's assistant on political assignments and also assisted with the research and publication of his own essays and memoirs. Temple was amazed by Swift's abilities and after a while began to trust him with more delicate and important matters.
Swift's life in Moon Park also brought him the acquaintance of the daughter of a Temple maid named Esther Johnson, who was only 8 years old. When they first met, she was 15 years younger than Swift, but despite the age difference, they became lovers for the rest of their lives. As a child, he was her mentor and teacher, and gave her the nickname "Stella". After Esther reached adulthood, they maintained a fairly close but controversial relationship, which continued until Johnson's death. There was a rumor that they got married in 1716, and Swift kept a lock of Johnson's hair with him all the time.
Creation
During his ten years working for Temple, Swift returned to Ireland twice. On a journey in 1695, he fulfilled all the necessary requirements and took holy orders in the Church of England. Under Temple's influence, he also began to write, first short essays and then, later, a manuscript for a book. Temple dies in 1699. Swift finishes editing and publishing his memoirs - not without controversy with some members of the Temple family - and then reluctantly accepts the position of secretary and chaplain to the Earl of Berkeley. But after long journey at the Earl of Berkeley's estate, Swift was informed that all positions for his position had already been filled. Discouraged but resourceful, he relied on his qualifications as a clergyman and found work in a small community 20 miles from Dublin. For the next 10 years, he gardens, preaches, and looks after the house provided to him by the church. He is also starting to write again. His first political pamphlet was entitled “A Discourse on the Contests and Dissentions in Athens and Rome.”
In 1704, Swift anonymously published the work “The Tale of the Barrel” and the pamphlet “The Battle of the Books.” The "barrel", which became quite popular among the public masses, was severely condemned in the Church of England. Ostensibly, he criticized religion, but in fact Swift was just parodying pride. However, his writings earned him a reputation in London, and when the Tories came to power in 1710, they asked Swift to become editor of their Conservative weekly, The Examiner. After a while, he became fully immersed in the political environment and began writing some of the most scathing and famous political pamphlets, including “The Conduct of the Allies” and “Attack on the Whigs.” on the Whigs”). Initiated into the inner circle of the Tory government, Swift expresses his personal thoughts and feelings in many letters to his beloved Stella. These letters later made up his book “Diary for Stella.”
Last years
When he saw that the Tories would soon be overthrown from power, Swift returned to Ireland. In 1713 he was appointed dean of St Patrick's Cathedral. He still maintained contact with Esther Johnson, and it was documented that he was romantically involved with Esther Vanhomrie (whom he called Vanessa). His courtship inspired his long and legendary poem, “Cadenus and Vanessa.” There were also rumors that he had a relationship with the famous beauty Anna Long.
While serving at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Swift begins to work on what would later be his most famous work. In 1726, with the completion of the manuscript, he traveled to London and took the help of several friends, who anonymously published his Travels to Some Remote Countries of the World in four parts: the writings of Lemuel Gulliver, first a surgeon and then a captain of several ships" - which is better known as "Gulliver's Travels". The book instantly became incredibly successful and has not been out of print since its very first publication. The most interesting thing is that most of plot events are related to historical facts, which Swift himself once experienced during a time of strong political upheaval.
But they didn’t have a chance to celebrate success for long, because Swift’s longtime love, Esther Johnson, became very ill. She dies in January 1728. Her death prompts Swift to write “The Death of Mrs. Johnson.” The Death of Mrs. Johnson"). Soon after her death, many of Swift's close friends died, including John Gay and John Arbuthnot. Swift, who had always been supported by the people around him, took a turn for the worse.
In 1742, Swift suffered from a stroke and lost the ability to speak. And on October 19, 1745, Jonathan Swift dies. He was buried next to Esther Johnson in the central nave of St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.
Quotes
“A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart.”
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