Leaving the Deserted Village
This illustration is from a late nineteenth-century edition of 'The Deserted Village', illustrated by H.L. Richardson and printed by Addine House, London.
Leaving the Deserted Village
This illustration is from a late nineteenth-century edition of 'The Deserted Village', illustrated by H.L. Richardson and printed by Addine House, London.
Goldsmith was before his time in highlighting one of the most important issues in Irish history - the Land Question. His poem 'The Deserted Village' published in 1770 criticises the landed class for their greed and lack of social responsibility in evicting Irish poor. In addition, he predicts the downfall of the landed class and imperialist Britain through greed and expresses views not widely held at this time regarding social and environmental issues. For the next three centuries the land question, land agitation and independence would remain a constant feature in Irish life and influence literary works of the time. Indeed, to this day, these issues are vitally important to Irish people.