4.17.T - Lesson: Satire in A Modest Proposal Questions
Is satire a good way to change a person/society's viewpoint? Why or why not?
A satire is not a good way to change a person or society's viewpoint. The reason is is not a good way is because it makes fun of others, mocks the harsh realities, and gives absurd ideas to make the person or society better.
Since Swift mocks abusive and dehumanizing behavior, what kinds of attitudes do you think he would rather see extended to the poor? In other words, what do you think his real proposal would be? Use examples from the text to support your position.
Since Swift mocks abusive and dehumanizing behaviour, he would rather see positive, helpful attitudes extended to the poor. Swift's real proposal would be to give some homeless children to the rich to take care of and find jobs for those old enough to work. One example from A Modest Proposal is in paragraph 33. "I profess in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing." This example from the text shows that Swift does not want to participate, nor does he have any young children to do so.
How does Swift satirize the rational, "enlightened" way of thinking that was popular in the 18th century? Provide at least one example from the text.
Swift satirizes the rational, "enlightened" way of thinking that was popular in the 18th century. One example from A Modest Proposal in paragraph 6 is, "The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couple, whose wives are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couple, who are able to maintain their own children, (although I apprehend there cannot be so many under the present distresses of the kingdom) but this being granted, there will remain a hundred and seventy thousand breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand, for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease within the year. There only remain a hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born." This example from the text shows how Swift used facts and figures, rather than considering the men, women, and children as human beings.
Explain the hypocrisy of the speaker in A Modest Proposal condemning abortions but supporting cannibalism.
The speaker in A Modest Proposal is hypocritical because he condemns abortions but supports cannibalism. This is hypocritical because both are murder, and counteracts what he said about not aborting babies. Why would one keep the babies alive if one is just going to fatten them up to eat them?