Summary:
“A Beautiful Young Nymph Going to Bed” is a satirical poem by Jonathan Swift, written in 1731. The poem offers a harshly realistic and unromantic portrayal of a prostitute named Corinna as she prepares for bed. Unlike the traditional poetic idealization of beauty, Swift presents a stark and grotesque reality, exposing the artificiality of physical attractiveness and the grim realities of lower-class women in 18th-century society.
The poem describes how Corinna removes her false teeth, wigs, pads, and cosmetics, revealing her true, aged, and weary appearance. Swift uses biting satire and dark humor to criticize society’s obsession with superficial beauty and the harsh conditions faced by women in such professions. The poem highlights themes of deception, aging, social hypocrisy, and the contrast between illusion and reality.
Through vivid imagery and irony, Swift mocks not just Corinna’s fading beauty but also the unrealistic expectations that society imposes on women. The poem remains a powerful critique of vanity, prostitution, and the treatment of women in Swift’s time.
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| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | A Beautiful Young Nymph Going to Bed |
| Poet Name | Jonathan Swift |
| Year Written | 1731 |
| Main Themes | Deception, vanity, aging, social hypocrisy, illusion vs. reality |
| Literary Devices | Satire, irony, grotesque imagery, dark humor |
| Tone | Sarcastic, mocking, and critical |
| Main Character | Corinna (a prostitute) |
| Swift’s Message | Criticism of artificial beauty and society’s unrealistic standards for women |