Jonathan Swift (1667--1745) A Modest Proposal

Previewing Work for A Modest Proposal Qs: What is the narrator’s proposal? Do you think that it is modest? (What is the definition of modest?) How do you understand the subtitle? What literary device is being used? Irony – verbal irony. He DOESN’T mean modest! What tone is used here? As we continue, jot down some examples from the text to support your position.

Analysis of A Modest Proposal Outline (4 parts) Note: perfect format for persuasive essay! Part 1: Para1-7 (the present situation in Ireland expect a proposal to solve the problem of poor children beggars) Part 2: Para 8-19 (detailing his proposal) Part 3: Para 20-28 (illustrating the advantages of his proposal) Part 4: Para 29-33 (supposing an objection to his proposal )

Part 1- pages 502-503 What are the present situations in Ireland? Ireland’s in poverty and overpopulated Poor female beggars with their children People in Ireland lack national loyalty The English government is devouring Ireland What is Swift's attitude toward the beggars he describes in the opening paragraph? Notice the narrator’s defense for his own proposal, and the statistical data. (his computation and economic mind)

Part 2- pages 504-505 What is his proposal?! What methods of satire are used in this passage about the market value of children? Understatement (the idea of pricing a child) Verbal irony (the author’s proposal is outrageous) Situational irony (the idea of selling a child for food is a reversal of all that we value) Parody (mimicking the language of business) 120,000 children, among which 20,000 reserved for breed, only ¼ to be males; the remaining 100,000 be offered in sale What bias does the narrator reveal?

Part 2- cont. What does Swift offer as a “testimonial”? What does Swift claim is wrong with his friend’s idea? The narrator claims to be sensitive to charges of cruelty. How do you think Swift wants us to feel about the narrator? What other problem does the narrator take up? What is his solution, and how is it similar to his main proposal?

Part 3 – pages 506-507 His advantages of the proposal: It would greatly lessen the number of Papists (a derogatory term for Catholics). Landlords can seize the Irish children in payment for rents. The nation’s wealth will be increased because there are so many children (and a new dish will be added to the nation’s tables). The breeders will sell their children and will not have to support them. The business of taverns will be increased (with the introduction of new food). The plan would be a great inducement to marriage. Women would be well-treated when pregnant – just as mares and cows and sows are.

Part 4 – pages 507-508 Anticipating the objection of the proposal In italics, what real solutions does Swift offer? What is the narrator’s attitude in saying that “I have no children by which I can propose to get a single penny, the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past childbearing”? Toward the end Swift returns again to the cycle of poverty in Ireland. Why do you think he not only repeats the information but puts it so close to the end of the essay?

Responding to the selection Do you think Swift goes too far in A Modest Proposal? Why or Why not? What modern topic or social issue would you satirize?

Summary With bitter irony, that the poverty of the Irish people should be relieved by the sale of their children, “at a year old,” as food for the rich, the narrator put forward his so-called perfect proposal . With the utmost gravity, he set out statistics to show the revenue that would come if this idea were adopted. The remedy, Swift took care to point out, was only for the kingdom of Ireland, not for the whole England. The last proposal is a most heartbreaking piece of sarcasm that fiery indignation has given birth to and a most powerful blow at the English government’s policy of exploitation and oppression in Ireland.