by Erin Palmer

Created on: January 24, 2009

A Description of a City Shower, Swift, 1710

The tuck'd-up Sempstress walks with hasty Strides, 37
While Streams run down her oil'd Umbrella's Sides. 38
Here various Kinds, by various Fortunes led, 39
Commence Acquaintance underneath a Shed, 40
Triumphant Tories, and desponding Whigs, 41
Forget their Feuds. and join to save their Wigs: 42

Two different events could have influenced Swift's "A Description of a City Shower" in 1710. He had just recently returned to England after being in Ireland, is reminded of his fondness for the city of London, and wrote a poem in which he wanted to portray all of the aspects of living in the city. Written during a year of political turmoil, "A Description of a City Shower" could be interpreted as insulting to the parliament and state, particularly in lines 37-42. This poem was published shortly after the fall of the Whigs and the formation of the Tory ministry but even though Swift makes reference to this drastic change in lines 41-42, it does not appear to be the primary focus of the poem. Swift seems to be more interested in painting a real picture of London and all its inhabitants.

Swift pays more attention to the Sempstress than to the dominant political figures. The term "tuck'd-up" in line 37 may have more than one meaning in the poem. The obvious one pertains to the seams of the Sempstress's skirt. In Old English, "tuck" meant "to mistreat" and in Middle English "to scold." A modern definition is "to put into a concealing or isolating place." All of these meanings could be used to describe the Sempstress. Swift could be implying that she has been mistreated or abused, by whom we don't know, and for that reason she feels isolated or wishes she could escape the city for a more private and remote place.

Line 38, "While Streams run down her oil'd Umbrella's Sides" reminds me of the phrase "insults running off your back." The Sempstress seems untouched by the rain because of her oiled umbrella, which might symbolize her detachment from the political issues going on around her or her ability to disregard her possible mistreatment. As a commoner, she may be more concerned with her daily life and escaping the temporary shower and abuser than the battle between the Whigs and Tories. More information on her profession would help to establish her day to day routine and give us a deeper insight of her lifestyle.

"Here" in line 39 reminds me of the term "Now" Swift used in "A Description of the Morning." Swift is placing the subjects of London

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