A Modest Proposal – J. Swift
In A Modest Proposal, Swift vents his mounting aggravation at the ineptitude of Ireland's politicians, the hypocrisy of the wealthy, the tyranny of the English, and the squalor and degradation in which he sees so many Irish people living. While A Modest Proposal bemoans the bleak situation of an Ireland almost totally subject to England's exploitation, it also expresses Swift's utter disgust at the Irish people's seeming inability to mobilize on their own behalf. Without excusing any party, the essay shows that not only the English but also the Irish themselves--and not only the Irish politicians but also the masses--are responsible for the nation's lamentable state. His compassion for the misery of the Irish people is a severe one, and he includes a critique of their incompetence in dealing with their own problems.
Political pamphleteering was a fashionable pastime in Swift's day, which saw vast numbers of tracts and essays advancing political opinions and proposing remedies for Ireland's economic and social ills. Swift's tract parodies the style and method of these, and the grim irony of his own solution reveals his personal despair at the failure of all this paper journalism to achieve any actual progress. His piece protests the utter inefficacy of Irish political leadership, and it also attacks the orientation of so many contemporary reformers toward economic utilitarianism. While Swift himself was an astute economic thinker, he often expressed contempt for the application of supposedly scientific management ideas to humanitarian concerns. The main rhetorical challenge of this bitingly ironic essay is capturing the attention of an audience whose indifference has been well tested. Swift makes his point negatively, stringing together an appalling set of morally untenable positions in order to cast blame and aspersions far and wide. The essay progresses through a series of surprises that first shocks the reader and then causes her to think critically not only about policies, but also about motivations and values.
What sort of persona does Swift create for the "author" of A Modest Proposal?
The "proposer" is notable for his vanity, his cold-heartedness, and the ruthlessness of his logic. He represents the hypocrisy and superficiality of many would-be reformers, whose seeming benevolence masks such impediments as prejudice, intolerance, sentimentalism, and hyper-abstraction. His reductive handling of suffering humans as statistical entities and economic commodities is what makes him most unappealing, in spite of the calm and reasonable tone of his argumentation.
AP Multiple Choice Style Questions:
1. What problem does the narrator call attention to in the first paragraph of "A Modest Proposal"?
(A) his own inability to find work (B) his wife's inability to bear children
(C) female beggars accompanied by children (D) the country's ongoing war with Spain
(E) the growth of great towns and the decline of small villages
2. According to the narrator of “A Modest Proposal,” at what age is a child best suited to serve as the solution to the problem he identifies? (A) one year, (B) three years, (C) six years, (D) nine years, (E) twelve years
3. In paragraph five, before providing the details of his proposal, the narrator identifies “another great advantage” of the scheme. What is that advantage? (A) providing fresh ingredients for meat pies (B) increasing the number of Protestants in the country, (C) freeing mothers from the burden of caring for their children (D) preventing voluntary abortions, (E) maintaining small class sizes in public schools
4. After identifying the details of his proposal, the narrator points out "one other collateral advantage.” What is that advantage? (A) reducing noise pollution in the vicinity of playgrounds, (B) lessening the number of papists (i.e., Catholics) (C) freeing fathers from the burden of caring for their children, (D) improving the diets of adults (E) maintaining small class sizes in public schools
5. According to the narrator, a gentleman should be prepared to pay how much for "the carcass of a good fat child"? (A) twelve pence, (B) ten shillings, (C) one pound, (D) two guineas, (E) one or two farthings
6. Following a lengthy "digression" (involving testimony from an "American acquaintance"), the narrator enumerates several more advantages to his proposal. Which one of the following is not one of the advantages that he describes? (A) increasing the care and tenderness of mothers toward their children, (B) bringing “great custom” to taverns, (C) serving as a great inducement to marriage, (D) relieving “constant breeders” of the expense of raising their children beyond a certain age, (E) encouraging young children to mind their manners and obey their parents
7. What is the one objection that the narrator thinks might "possibly be raised against this proposal"?
(A) It will reduce the number of people in the kingdom. (B) It is morally repugnant. (C) It is a criminal activity. (D) It will reduce the country's dependence on lamb and other meat products.
(E) It will deprive landlords of some much-needed income.
8. Toward the end of the essay, the narrator rejects alternative solutions. Which one of the following is not one of the “other expedients” that he considers and immediately rejects? (A) taxing absentee landlords at five shillings a pound, (B) requiring shopkeepers to buy only goods that have been made in Ireland, (C) putting children to work at a young age, (D) quitting animosities and factions, and learning to love “our country”, (E) teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy toward their tenants
9. Because "the flesh [is] of too tender a consistence to admit a long continuance in salt," where will the meat of infants not be consumed? (A) in the taverns, (B) in the mansions of wealthy landlords, (C) in England,
(D) in the rural parts of Ireland (E) in Dublin
10. In the final sentence of the essay, Swift attempts to demonstrate his sincerity and lack of self-interest by making which one of the following observations? (A) His youngest child is nine years old, and his wife is beyond child-bearing age, (B) He is a citizen of England. (C) He has no children, and his wife is dead. (D) He has made so much money from Gulliver's Travels that any income his proposal might generate would be insignificant.
(E) He is a devout Roman Catholic.
11. The author’s style is characterized by his …? I. Technical claim II. Ironic tone III. Elaborate syntax
(a.) I only (b.) II only (c.) I and II only (d.) II and III only (e.) I, II and III
12. In paragraph 6, with the phrase “except where they are of towardly parts,” the speaker…?
I. Refuse a contrasting argument in order to strengthen his position
II. Qualifies a previous generalization about the Irish children
III. Offers an exception to the terms of the proposal
(a.) I only (b.) II only (c.) I and III only (d). II and III only (e.) I, II, and III
13. In paragraph 6, the speaker makes which of the following appeals?
I. Substantive
II. Authoritative
III. Motivational
(a.) I only (b.) II only (c.) I and II only (d.) II and III only (e.) I, II, and III
14. The speaker appeals to each of the following EXCEPT …?
(a.) Pity (b.) Reason (c.) Economy (d.) Avarice (e.) Pragmatism
15. Paragraph 15 presents appeals to each of the following EXCEPT…?
(a.) Gentility (b.) Patriotism (c.) Economy (d.) Utility (e.) Indulgence
16. 18. The speaker admits which of the following as the strongest objection to any proposal?
(a.) That it would be regarded as cruel. (b.) That it would promote avarice. (c.) That it would reduce population
(d.) That it would violate the law, (e.) That it would encourage exploitation
17. The speaker uses each of the following argument in support of his proposal EXCEPT…?
(a.) It would prevent voluntary abortion (b.) It would ease the burden of parents too poor to feed their children
(c.) It would decrease the incidence of domestic violence (d.) It would stimulate the Ireland’s economy with a new and
profitable export (e.) It would provide greater culinary variety for the genteel
18. Which of the following are offered as advantage of the proposal?
I. It would lessen the number of Papist
II. It would increase the number of marriages
III. It would decrease the number of suicides
(a.) I only (b.) II only (c.) I and II only (d.) I and III only (e.) II and III only
19. The tone of Swift’s speaker might best be described as…?
(a.) Reasoned and confident (b.) Ironic and absurd (c.) Condescending and indifferent (d.) Arrogant and illogical
(e.) Diffident and objective
20. Which of the following is most effective in assuaging possible feeling of disgust in the reader?
a. The technical aspect of the facts and figures b. The speaker’s avoidance of the grotesque
c. The blunt candor of the proposal d. The ironic nature of the proposal e. The rational analysis supporting the proposal
21. Swift evidently wishes to have effected which of the following among members of his contemporary audience?
(a.) They will be convinced of the soundness of the proposal (b.) They will be willing to absolve the speaker of selfish
motives. (c.) They will be willing to adopt a modified version of his proposal. ( d.) They will feel that some of
their own selfish motives are exposed. (e.) They will view the proposal as an opportunity for personal gain.
Rhetoric and Style Questions:
1. How does Swift want the reader to view the speaker? What features best describe the “persona” he adopts?
2. Note Swift’s diction in the opening paragraphs. IDENTIFY examples of quantification and de-humanization. EXPLAIN their purpose.
3. Swift’s speaker explains the anticipated results BEFORE revealing the actual proposal. Explain the rhetorical purpose of such a strategy.
4. For each of the classic appeals (ETHOS. LOGOS, PATHOS), indicate two examples from the first 8 paragraphs. Which one is the speaker’s primary appeal? WHY do you think this?
5. Taking careful note of the diction of paragraph 12, with words such as “dear” and “devoured,” explain the rhetorical strategy at work.
6. At the end of paragraphs 3 and 32 may be seen as breaks from Swift’s ironic voice. Explain how that may be the case, and IDENTIFY ONE other place where Swift’s voice breaks through that of his persona.
7. Read paragraphs 1-6 of Swift’s satire. Drawing from this section, write an essay in which you explain how Swift’s ironic persona uses rhetorical strategies to prepare the reader for his proposal.
8. Read paragraphs 20 – 32, then write an essay in which you explain how Swift uses diction, voice, pacing, organization and other features of style & rhetoric that you deem significant to develop his position
In the chart below describe the problems the personna in “A Modest Proposal” associates with each group listed. Next, explain the personna’s solution to the problem and in the final column, describe the supposed “benefits” which will result from the implementation of this “modest proposal”.
BabiesProblem: / Solution: / Benefits:
Children Ages 1 - 12
Problem: / Solution: / Benefits:
Elderly, Maimed, or Ill
Problem: / Solution: / Benefits:
On the lines provides, write a paragraph in which you describe the ACTUAL solution which Swift wants to be implemented.
______
______
by Matt Mortensen Cutting Wit at its Finest: An analysis of the satire of A Modest Proposal
Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal is an excellent example of the sharp wit and biting sarcasm that was employed in the satire of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Through the effective use of sarcastic comparisons and ironic exaggerations, Swift managed to impose his cutting wit in a manner and to an extent that was virtually unprecedented in literature. Although the subjects, or targets, of his sarcasm are different, the genius inherent in his method of employing it is quite similar.
Jonathan Swift is a master when it comes to satire and cutting wit in writing. His famous satire, A Modest Proposal, is without a doubt one of the world's foremost examples of genius in biting sarcasm and irony in literature, whether in comparison to the writings of his time or even down to the present day. The irony and sarcasm inherent in the title alone is a perfect example of the power of the written word tweaked slightly in its application.
A Modest Proposal is a pamphlet that Swift wrote in protest to the oppressive treatment of the Catholic peasants of Ireland by the English, particularly the English absentee landlords, after the abdication of James II. At the time of its writing, the peasants of Dublin, and Ireland in general, were in an extremely poverty-stricken condition (Norton 2473, footnote #1). They had become quite populous and therefore quite a burden to the state. Therefore, A Modest Proposal is, as Swift states in its introduction, a proposed solution "for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland from being a burden to their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the public (Norton 2473)."
In using the word "modest" to describe his proposal, Swift introduces an exaggeration of epic proportions. The utilization of such an unassuming word to describe a suggestion as horrific and appalling as that which is described in the proposal is utterly ludicrous in principle, and this is precisely why it is so effective in its application. A well-employed paradox is an excellent way to grab the attention of an audience, and Swift is a master of this practice. One needs only read several lines into the text of A Modest Proposal before it becomes indubitably clear that the proposal is anything but modest.
In short, Swift's "proposal" is that Ireland's overpopulation problem could be solved by selling a large portion if its one-year-old children on the market to be used as food, among other things, thereby providing income for poor peasant mothers and rendering them useful to society as a whole. When stated as such, the atrocious nature of the proposal is clear. However, Swift employs such masterfully subtle and witty language that the reader is almost inclined to not notice the obvious deplorable aspects and to agree with his arguments (Norton 2473, footnote #1).