Satire & A Modest Proposal & The Pardoner's Tale Study Guide
dramatic irony
** sarcasm ** when the audience knows something the character's don't - the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect
1.) What techniques of irony and satire does Swift draw upon, and how does he use them to his advantage?
**Verbal irony -> what he said was contradicted, outrageous (satire), doesn't say what he means ... can't have children; he is making fun of people eating children and using extreme examples to explain how far England is to make fun of how England is treating the irish - Wants Irish conditions to improve - situational irony, because we wouldn't expect people to kill and eat children, also the irony of his plan is focused on killing kids 9 and under because he won't be affected since his wife can't have kids (also dramatic irony).
verbal irony
**say one thing, but means another - figure of speech; the speaking intends to be understood as meaning something that contrasts with the literal or usual meaning of what he says
The three rioters are looking for Death. They encounter a man who is impossibly old and can not die.
- In this situation, the characters think... the old man is just an old man; but the old man is death (they are out looking for death) - But we know... he represents death & leads him to their death
The old man tells the three rioters: "I left [Death] there today under a tree, and there you'll find [Death] waiting." Later, all three die underneath that tree.
- In this situation, the old man seems like he is saying... they will find death under the tree - But the actual meaning of his words is... they found gold (in the end, leads to their death); situational & verbal irony; they thought after finding the gold they would live happily ever after, all ended up dead
Two of the rioters stab and kill the third so that they can split his share of the money. They then drink from the cup the third rioter brought them.
- In this situation, the two rioters think... they will be wealthy; they think they will get all the gold - But we know... dramatic irony, we knee the wine they celebrated with was poisoned, in the end they all died
The Pardoner preaches against being greedy, but makes his living from selling indulgences that he does not believe in and taking people's money to see fake relics. "And thus I preach against the very vice I make my living out of- avarice." (Lines 45-46)
- In this situation, we would expect... him not to be greedy - But the reality is... he cares about money and social standard; sells fake relics; we would expect him not to be greedy but he is
The Pardoner tells the pilgrims that if they "approach [him] with sterling rings, or silver brooches," he will forgive their sins. In reality, he does not care (Lines 331-332)
- In this situation, you would expect... that he would forgive their sins and do as he should; be honest and tell the truth, not be affected by money, not be telling others not to be greedy when he is, etc. - But the reality is... he sells fake relics and is all in it for the money (verbal irony)
2.) The author urges those opposed to his proposal to consider two important issues: what do these issues primarily concern? What do they reveal about the state of Swift's Ireland?
- Tells people who oppose -> he is saying I have no motive to promote this, I just want Ireland to get better (what he's saying); doesn't have nay person sake, motivated by the good of helping the country - Reveals about the state of Ireland: overpopulation promb, poverty probs, food probs, lots of problems
9.) How does Swift want his audience to feel after reading this essay? Embarrassed? Ashamed? Enraged? Amused?
- both ashamed and shocked by the situation. He wants people to understand the situation while at the same time realizing it's a problem and do something to help fix it. (Mostly the economy within Ireland) - Ashamed of their actions, enraged
importance of lines 103-112 (line #'s probably not important)
- he is suggesting logical solutions that make sense, shows us it's satire, yet he is not taking these logical solutions seriously - of taxing out absentees; not buying anything from other countries
elements of satire
- outrageous - Swift is trying to show people how outrageous this is, acts like he believes it when he doesn't - element has to be outrageous that the author thinks - provide logical solutions that the author writes out
more notes from Pardoner's Tale
- understand: main plot point: 3 men getting gold, irony involved; greedy pardoner telling the story - ironic: he is fully of greed - that makes it satire: pardoner who is greedy, telling a story act the evils of greed and telling people they should not be greedy - something so ridiculous that theres no way its true (satire) - Chaser uses satire to state: about mid-evil turfs they re being hypocritical, its a scam, they are all greedy, none are honest, mid-evil church is corrupt
Johnathan Swift
- who he was: - 1667-1745 - Anglican Clergyman, writer & satirist - famous works include Gulliver's Travels & "A Modest Proposal" - during his lifetime: - Ireland was an English colony, NOT an independent country - England = Protestant; Ireland = Catholic - English protestants looked down on Irish Catholics & passed many laws to strip Irish Catholics of their rights - effects of Penal Law - Ireland is politically, economically, & militarily dependent on England - it is profitable for England to keep Ireland from advancing itself - Ireland is largely poor, overpopulated, heavily taxed, & without an effective voice in their own affairs
3 reasons Swift gives for not including 12 to 14 year olds in the plan
1) they can not eat schoolboys because they taste tough and lean (their taste is disagreeable) 2) As for females, they can not eat females, because they need them to reproduce so they can have more children to eat 3) people will criticize their practice and say it's cruel, he doesn't want to deal with that
6 benefits of his plan
1) to get rid of the number of catholics 2) poor tenants will have something valuable of their own (help to pay their landlord's rent); poor tenets will be able to pay their rent 3) Nations's stock will increase (national economy will improve), more money; people are selling children for money, more money will be circulating and the economy will improve 4) mother's will sell their children but not have to take care of them/feed them after a year 5) wine merchants will make more money, tavern's will improve, food will improve (positive improvements for both food and business) 6) helps marriage bc men would become more fond of their wives and children (won't hurt their wives physically bc the baby symbolizes money)
ironic about lines 113-119 (probably just focus on the irony, not page #'s)
His plan is focused on killing kids 9 and under, he won't be affect, bc his wife can't have children
8.) What is achieved by Swift's many details, considering the topic of his proposal? Do you think the proposal would be effective if it were written differently (e.g., with direct, simple sentences)?
It keeps people reading, if he didnt use the language, people might not pay attention
Satire
a type of writing which makes fun of a subject in order to point out its flaws
7.) Does Swift put too much faith in his audience to be moved to action by satire? Is satire an effective means of societal change?
he is too much attached to satire, went from being serious to sarcastic
6.) How does Swift transition from his satirical absurdist tone to the serious tone of his real proposals?
he says don't mention other solutions, then lists into logical solutions
3.) What does the author's disinterestedness in his own proposal (due to his lack of children) reveal to the reader? His plan is focused a
he won't be affected, he won't have any feelings toward it, can make a radical thoughts ... he can't be affected
5.) Swift suggests several economic policies here such as a 25% tax and favoring home made products over imports. Where else in "A Modest Proposal" does he suggest economic reforms?
he's gonna help, keeping more money for them, rather than giving it to people on the outside
what was happening in Ireland
people were killing and eating children
situational irony
when the outcome of the situation is totally different from what people expect
4.) Why does Swift choose to bundle his real suggestions into "A Modest Proposal" instead of stating them outright? Does this make them more effective?
satire is clear; he wants audience to focus on the perspective, more likely to look at what makes sense
