The injured lady and theDrapier

“In the case of David”: Swift'sDrapier's letters

“…In his last Letter he compares his endeavours to those of a crazy projector -a comparison all the more bitter since he earlier condemned Wood as a projector. 22 It might be thought that Swift thereby avoids the charge of distorting facts: his speaker dissociates himself from comments made earlier when he might often have been accused of "saying the Thing which was not." Swift is self-conscious enough to submit his own position to analysis and seems aware that writing is of dubious efficacy in a political world governed by power.…”

“…Paradoxically, his haughty tone even supports his assumption of ethical superiority. 9 If the effect is occasionally one of incongruity then this is not without humour for those among Swift's audience able to perceive the wit resulting from his use of a persona.…”

“…and shall a whole Kingdom lie in a Lethargy, while Mr. Wood comes at the head of his Confederates to rob them of all they have, to ruin us and our Posterity for ever? (X, [22][23] Ironically, Wood's dishonesty is potentially a means of keeping habitual thieves honest and the Drapier is able to enliven his argument with sour humour:…”