Satire in Historical Context A Modest Proposal By: Jonathan Swift

Why this text? It is important to recognize satire in various forms of media. An analysis of swift’s exposure of the cruel practices of the English will provide exposure to the characteristics of satire.

Historical context lines 1-9 (RI.4.10) What issues will swift address based on this passage? What picture of the economic situation in Ireland is created by the details in the paragraph? What is the effect of presenting this problem at the beginning of the essay?

Historical context lines 10-21 (RI.4.10) Based on what you have read what can you infer about the situation in Ireland? Explain Why the number of young children is “in the present deplorable state of the kingdom a very great additional grievance”?

Author’s Point of View: Satire lines 22-39 (RL.2.6; RI.2.6) Satire aims to ridicule a group’s weakness or wrongdoing in the hope of effecting positive change. in order to deliver his satire, swift creates a fictional narrator. The narrator’s traits and attitude are key to understanding swift’s meaning. What impression of the narrator do you get in lines 22-39?

Historical context lines 54-62 (RI.4.10) Swift satirizes the English view the Irish by incorporating details that suggest the narrator shares the same perspective. What generalization about the poor in Ireland can you infer from these lines? How does Swift use this view to make a further point about conditions in Ireland?

Author’s Point of View: Satire lines 69-82 (RL.2.6; RI.2.6) After he describes the problem, the narrator puts forth his proposed solution. Look for a discrepancy between what he says and what he means (verbal irony).This device is how Swift conveys his satire in this part of the essay. How does the narrator’s introduction of his solution increase the impact of the proposal on readers?

Author’s Point of View: Satire Lines 89-93 (RL.2.6; RI.2.6) Swift is incredibly thorough in his development of the proposal. Identify the details that make the proposal sound practical. What effect on readers does Swift intend the sensible approach of his narrator to have?

Historical context lines 133-158 (RI.4.10) Swift wrote this essay in 1729, almost 300 years ago. Because of this, we can see some of the misconceptions of that time period that for people of different cultures and nationalities. What can you infer about Europeans’ views of Americans from the narrator’s reference to his American acquaintance in lines 71-74 and in this passage?

Historical context lines 133-158 (RI.4.10) Swift takes advantage of every opportunity to satirize the political and social practices of this time period. Summarize Psalmanazar’s story from his country. What does Swift find reprehensible about those who are wealthy or favored in society?

Integrate and evaluate information (RI.3.7) Examine the illustration on page 204 and explain how it reinforces ideas that Swift has expressed in his essay. Cite specific details from the illustration.

Author’s Point of View: Satire lines 174-185 (RL.2.6; RI.2.6) In order to understand the irony, a reader must recognize the irony in what a writer expresses. Explain the irony in the statement that the Irish “stay at home on purpose to deliver the kingdom to the pretender.” How does the narrator’s tone in lines 182-185 convey irony?

Analyze Ideas (RI.1.3) The narrator, in the role of a concerned citizen offering a solution to a serious problem, offers several numbered reasons in support of his proposal. Summarize the cost-benefit analysis the narrator offers in line 186-189. What is Swift satirizing here?

Author’s Point of View: Satire Lines 204-232 (RL.2.6; RI.2.6) A stereotype is a sweeping generalization about a group or institution. Identify the narrator’s stereotype of the Irish in lines 204-214 and cite the details that reveal it.

Author’s Point of View: Satire Lines 257-265 (RL.2.6; RI.2.6) Although Swift expresses his idea through the voice of the narrator, at times he betrays his own feelings about this issue. Identify two places in the paragraph where Swift expresses a hint of his own voice and feelings.