A Modest Proposal
At what point in the essay did you recognize that Swift's proposal is meant to be satiric?
It is at paragraph eight that the reader would begin to realize that this essay is satirical. Up until this point, the narrator sounds like a completely reasonable and humane person, concerned with finding a solution to the pressing problem of poverty in Ireland.
The modern reader may notice the misogyny in Swift's essay. Does it affect your opinion of the essay? Does it make Swift's criticism of society less powerful?
"A Modest Proposal" was written in 1729. While it is important to note the misogyny present within Swift's writing, it is equally as important to contextualize the essay. This means that we must take into account the time period in which it was written (the fight for women's rights was unheard of at this time). While this take on the essay can enrich our understanding of what life was like during the early 1700s, it should not make his criticism of society any less powerful.
A Modest Proposal
A satirical essay meant to underline the problems of both the English and the Irish in 1729. Satire is the use of irony, humor or exaggeration to criticize the ideas of others.
In paragraph 9, why doesn't Swift end the sentence after the word food? Explain the purpose and effect of the modifiers included there.
He did this so the readers weren't confused. He put into perspective how crazy the idea of eating babies is, then used the rhetorical strategy to soften the blow with practical ideas on how to prepare this new "dish"
What are the assumptions behind each of Swift's claims in paragraphs 21-26? Explain them.
Swift appeals to other people's prejudices against Catholics, and protective of landlords (he doesn't believe in them)
Note Swift's diction in the first seven paragraphs. How does it show quantification and dehumanization? Explain the purpose of Swift's specific word choices.
Swift diction shows dehumanization/quantification in paragraphs 1-7 with the term "female sex", "dam", "solar year", which are technical, scientific, and rude. The purpose of this is to prep readers into accepting an outrageous and dehumanization, proposal.
Identify examples of appeals to values such as thrift and patriotism. Explain the rhetorical strategy behind each example.
thrift = save money, patriotism = pride for one's country" a very worth person..." shows patriotism with someone who loves their country" 800,000 saved" pg.408 shows thrift by showing how much Ireland would be saving "not to sell country" pg. 409 = patriotism wants best for his country" fair, easy cheap solution" = thriftThis helps build the argument and persuade the audience
How does the final paragraph of the essay contribute to Swift's rhetorical purpose?
In the final lines of the paragraph, Swift continues his use of the absurd to relate back to the absurd scenario that he has created in the satire. The situation metaphorically represents Swift's critique of English landowners, and serves as the final point on which the reader should linger
A Modest Proposal
Jonathan Swift, 1729
Read carefully paragraphs 29-31. What are the "expedients" that Swift discusses there? How does irony serve his rhetorical purpose in this section?
Swift discusses solutions to the issues facing Ireland at the time. His use of irony allows him to illuminate the country's problems and depict the issues at hand.
By publishing such an outrageous text, what might Swift have hoped to bring about among the people of Ireland?
Swift knew that his proposal wouldn't solve the immense problems faced by Ireland at the time, but I believe we can say that this essay had a positive influence in encouraging people to seriously look at these problems and to recognize gravity of the situation. He has exposed the problems and cited their causes. Hopefully, those who had the ability and opportunity to address the problems took note.
Which targets does Swift ironically identify in paragraphs 21 and 22? Note the rhetorical progression of paragraphs 21-26. By using such a method, what is Swift satirizing?
Swift targets the landlords that live in Britain that are responsible for the poverty in Ireland. They seem to not care for the Irish because of the difference in religion (protestant vs roman catholic) He is satirizing his own proposal for addressing a serious topic in a funny/unserious tone.
How does Swift want the reader to view his speaker? That is, how would Swift want his reader to describe the persona he adopts?
Swift wants the reader to view the speaker as rational and reasonable. Other features that describe the speaker is that he seems detached, and he uses statistics and logic to present solution, despite its absurdity
Of the six advantages Swift enumerates (paras. 21-26), which one might be considered the most sardonic? Explain.
Swift's sixth advantage cites that the institution of marriage serves both social and political purposes. His thoughts that marriage might be improved, and that husbands and wives would be motivated to care for each other and their children as a direct result of monetary gain is completely sardonic.
To what do the "vain, idle, visionary thoughts" (para. 31) refer? What is Swift's tone here?
The actual solutions that he think will work but that have yet to see action. However, when he describes them with these words he takes the voice of the opposing side.
Consider the additional proposal that Swift mentions in paragraph 17. Explain the rhetorical strategy at work in that paragraph.
The additional proposal of breeding 12-14 year olds is used as a rhetorical strategy to compare that his idea is less outrageous.
Explain how Swift uses the essay to satirize both his subject and the vehicle he employs — that is, a political proposal itself.
The entirety of "A Modest Proposal" is satirical because it makes fun of other grand ideas that people have proposed to solve big problems in society. The proposal itself— that the Irish should eat their babies—is satirical, too, because it makes fun of people who propose absurd things thinking that they are practical. Swift's reference to boys and girls as not a "saleable commodity" is a good particular example because it suggests the cold thinking of people who argue for turning everything into questions of economics. A similar moment comes when Swift says that "those who are thrifty" may use the carcass of the infant for ladies' gloves or gentlemen's boots; this takes children as animals where the whole animal is used for different purposes.
Would a modern audience be more or less offended by Swift's proposal? Explain your reasoning.
The first time I read this satire I was shocked. Over the years, I have come to understand Swift's politics a bit more and appreciate the humor of this satire. The humor is evident immediately, and I do not think it provokes offense, but for me it has always contained an enormous amount of shock value.
What is Swift's overall purpose? Why did he choose such a provocative approach?
The purpose of Swift's satirical essay is to call attention to the problems that were being experienced by the people of Ireland. He wanted the English (who ruled Ireland) to realize what they were doing and to put in place reforms that would solve the problems they had helped to cause.
At the beginning of the essay, Swift explains the anticipated results before revealing the actual proposal. Explain the rhetorical purpose of such a strategy.
The purpose of this is to lead the audience on to support, and be open-minded to such a crazy proposal. "if you are with me up until now,...how could you object"
What were the social conditions in Ireland that occasioned the writing of Jonathan Swift's essay? Does the essay indicate what Swift considers to be the causes of these conditions? Does the government — the state — have a responsibility for the con- dition of its poor? Does Swift target anybody in particular with his satire? How can you tell?
The social conditions in Ireland that occasioned the writing of Jonathan Swift's essay were that there were many beggars that were out on the streets and had children that they couldn't care for themselves. Swift considers the causes of these conditions to be that instead of being able to work, the poor mothers are "forced to employ all their time instrolling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants". I think he targets the rich with his satire. I can tell because in his essay, Swift has mentioned a few times about "giving some pleasure to the rich"
Several eighteenth-century writers made allusions to "A Modest Proposal" in the titles of their satiric essays. For example, Philip Skelton made his irony obvious by calling an essay "Some Proposals for the Revival of Christianity." Why do you think Swift's title was considered such a useful satiric tool?
The title seems innocent but it downplays the intensity of the passage. Which I think prevents the audience from being scared or discouraged by the piece
