'A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed' by Jonathan Swift
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Corinna, Pride of Drury-Lane,
For whom no Shepherd sighs in vain;
Never did Covent Garden boast
So bright a batter'd, strolling Toast;
No drunken Rake to pick her up,
No Cellar where on Tick to sup;
Returning at the Midnight Hour;
Four Stories climbing to her Bow'r;
Then, seated on a three-legg'd Chair,
Takes off her artificial Hair:
Now, picking out a Crystal Eye,
She wipes it clean, and lays it by.
Her Eye-Brows from a Mouse's Hide,
Stuck on with Art on either Side,
Pulls off with Care, and first displays 'em,
Then in a Play-Book smoothly lays 'em.
Now dextrously her Plumpers draws,
That serve to fill her hollow Jaws.
Untwists a Wire; and from her Gums
A Set of Teeth completely comes.
Pulls out the Rags contriv'd to prop
Her flabby Dugs and down they drop.
Proceeding on, the lovely Goddess
Unlaces next her Steel-Rib'd Bodice;
Which by the Operator's Skill,
Press down the Lumps, the Hollows fill,
Up hoes her Hand, and off she slips
The Bolsters that supply her Hips.
With gentlest Touch, she next explores
Her Shankers, Issues, running Sores,
Effects of many a sad Disaster;
And then to each applies a Plaster.
But must, before she goes to Bed,
Rub off the Daubs of White and Red;
And smooth the Furrows in her Front,
With greasy Paper stuck upon't.
She takes a Bolus e'er she sleeps;
And then between two Blankets creeps.
With pains of love tormented lies;
Or if she chance to close her Eyes,
Of Bridewell and the Compter dreams,
And feels the Lash, and faintly screams;
Or, by a faithless Bully drawn,
At some Hedge-Tavern lies in Pawn;
Or to Jamaica seems transported,
Alone, and by no Planter courted;
Or, near Fleet-Ditch's oozy Brinks,
Surrounded with a Hundred Stinks,
Belated, seems on watch to lie,
And snap some Cull passing by;
Or, struck with Fear, her Fancy runs
On Watchmen, Constables and Duns,
From whom she meets with frequent Rubs;
But, never from Religious Clubs;
Whose Favour she is sure to find,
Because she pays them all in Kind.
CORINNA wakes. A dreadful Sight!
Behold the Ruins of the Night!
A wicked Rat her Plaster stole,
Half eat, and dragged it to his Hole.
The Crystal Eye, alas, was miss'd;
And Puss had on her Plumpers piss'd.
A Pigeon pick'd her Issue-Peas;
And Shock her Tresses fill'd with Fleas.
The Nymph, tho' in this mangled Plight,
Must ev'ry Morn her Limbs unite.
But how shall I describe her Arts
To recollect the scatter'd Parts?
Or show the Anguish, Toil, and Pain,
Of gath'ring up herself again?
The bashful Muse will never bear
In such a Scene to interfere.
Corinna in the Morning dizen'd,
Who sees, will spew; who smells, be poison'd.
Submitted by Andrew Mayers
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, what a delightful piece of literature we have here! Jonathan Swift's "A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed" is a satirical poem that packs a punch. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's themes, literary devices, and deeper meanings. So, grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let's dive in!
Summary
Before we start analyzing the poem, let's get a quick summary of what it's about. "A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed" is a poem written by Jonathan Swift in 1734. It is a satirical piece that mocks the vanity of women and the society's obsession with beauty. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each describing a different step in the process of a young woman getting ready for bed. The speaker's tone is sarcastic and humorous throughout the poem, making fun of the woman's vanity and the ridiculousness of the beauty standards of the time.
Themes
The first theme that stands out in the poem is the idea of vanity. The young woman in the poem is portrayed as vain and obsessed with her appearance. She spends hours getting ready, putting on makeup and perfume, and arranging her hair in the latest fashion. The speaker is critical of her behavior, implying that she is wasting her time and money on frivolous things that won't bring her happiness in the long run.
Another theme that ties into the idea of vanity is the societal pressure to conform to beauty standards. The young woman in the poem is trying to fit in with the latest trends and styles, even if it means sacrificing her own comfort and well-being. The speaker is mocking this behavior, pointing out how ridiculous it is to spend so much time and effort on something that is ultimately superficial and unimportant.
The final theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of power dynamics. The speaker of the poem is male, and he is commenting on the behavior of a woman. This dynamic is important because it highlights the unequal power relations between men and women at the time. The speaker is using his position of power to mock and criticize the woman, reinforcing the idea that women are inferior to men.
Literary Devices
Swift employs various literary devices to convey his satirical message. The most prominent device is irony, which is used throughout the poem to make fun of the woman's behavior. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes the woman's elaborate beauty routine, including using "puffs, powders, patches, Bibles, billet-doux." These items are all fairly ridiculous, and the speaker is using irony to highlight the absurdity of the woman's behavior.
Another literary device that Swift employs is hyperbole. He exaggerates the woman's behavior to the point of absurdity, such as when he describes her hair as a "mighty mountain," or when he says that her cheeks are "two roses stol'n from Phoebus' face." These exaggerations serve to make the woman's behavior seem even more ridiculous and vain.
Finally, Swift uses sarcasm to great effect in the poem. The speaker's tone is consistently sarcastic throughout the poem, making fun of the woman and the societal norms that she is trying to conform to. For example, when the speaker describes the woman's corset, he says that it "pinched her body black and blue, For 'twas the coldest day she knew." This statement is dripping with sarcasm, as the speaker is pointing out how ridiculous it is to wear a corset in cold weather, just to conform to societal beauty standards.
Interpretation
So, what does it all mean? What is Swift trying to say with this satirical poem? At its core, "A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed" is a critique of societal beauty standards and the pressure that women feel to conform to them. The woman in the poem is a victim of these standards, spending hours and hours getting ready for bed in order to fit in with the latest trends and styles.
However, Swift is not just critiquing the woman's behavior – he is also critiquing the societal norms that have created this behavior in the first place. The speaker is using his position of power to mock and criticize the woman, but he is also pointing out the absurdity of the expectations that society has placed upon her. By exaggerating the woman's behavior and using irony and sarcasm, Swift is highlighting the ridiculousness of the beauty standards of the time.
Finally, the poem is also a critique of gender roles and power dynamics. The fact that the speaker is male and commenting on the behavior of a woman is significant, as it highlights the unequal power relations between men and women at the time. By using his position of power to mock and criticize the woman, the speaker is reinforcing the idea that women are inferior to men. However, by highlighting the absurdity of the societal norms that have created the woman's behavior, Swift is also critiquing the patriarchal society that has created these power dynamics in the first place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed" is a satirical masterpiece that critiques societal beauty standards, gender roles, and power dynamics. Swift's use of literary devices such as irony, hyperbole, and sarcasm serve to highlight the absurdity of the expectations that society has placed upon women. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to question and challenge these norms and to work towards a more equal and just society.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Jonathan Swift, the renowned satirist and author of Gulliver's Travels, wrote a poem that is both humorous and scathing in its critique of society's obsession with beauty and youth. "A Beautiful Young Nymph Going to Bed" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that uses wit and irony to expose the absurdity of the beauty standards of Swift's time.
The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and the beautiful young nymph who is preparing for bed. The speaker, who is presumably male, is infatuated with the nymph's beauty and is eager to see her undress. However, as the nymph begins to remove her makeup and clothing, the speaker is horrified by what he sees.
The poem begins with the speaker admiring the nymph's beauty and praising her for her youthful appearance. He describes her as "fair as the day" and "fresh as the morn." However, as the nymph begins to remove her makeup, the speaker's tone changes. He becomes increasingly critical of her appearance and begins to point out her flaws.
The speaker notes that the nymph's skin is "wrinkled" and "puckered" and that her hair is "thin and lank." He also comments on her "fallen breast" and "loose thigh." These descriptions are in stark contrast to the nymph's earlier appearance, and they reveal the speaker's true feelings about beauty and youth.
Swift uses this contrast to expose the absurdity of society's beauty standards. The speaker's infatuation with the nymph's beauty is based solely on her appearance, and as soon as that appearance is altered, his admiration turns to disgust. This is a commentary on the shallow nature of society's obsession with youth and beauty.
The poem also contains several references to the nymph's age. The speaker notes that she is "past her prime" and that she is "fading." These references serve to highlight the fleeting nature of youth and beauty and to suggest that society's obsession with these qualities is ultimately futile.
Swift's use of irony is also evident in the poem. The title, "A Beautiful Young Nymph Going to Bed," suggests that the poem will be a celebration of beauty and youth. However, the poem is actually a critique of these qualities and the societal values that prioritize them.
The poem's structure is also significant. The dialogue between the speaker and the nymph creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader in. The poem's short lines and simple language make it accessible to a wide audience, while its satirical tone adds depth and complexity.
In conclusion, "A Beautiful Young Nymph Going to Bed" is a masterful work of satirical poetry that exposes the absurdity of society's obsession with youth and beauty. Swift's use of wit, irony, and contrast creates a powerful critique of societal values that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was written. This poem is a testament to Swift's skill as a writer and his ability to use humor to expose the flaws of society.
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