Essential Question: How Does Literature Shape or Reflect Our Society?
Literary Analysis
A Modest Proposal
College and Career Readiness Standard: RI 5Analyze and evaluate the
effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her argument
Satire is a literary technique in which people’s behavior or society’s
institutions are ridiculed for the purpose of bringing about social
reform. Swift uses satire to comment on specific political and cultural
concerns that angered and offended him. Swift relies mostly on verbal
irony and sarcasm. His use of a mocking, ironic tone presents his
seemingly rational proposal.
Assignment: Read the modern satirical essay “The Fat Tax: A Modest
Proposal, look for the elements of satire.
1. Identify the problem and its causes
2. Explain what solution is proposed
3. List the author’s suggested proposition(s) and how he proposes their implementation
4. Tell what evidence and reason the author uses as support
5. Evaluate the argument that the author makes against other possible solutions.
Write a paragraph which argues whether or not satire is indeed an
effective method in publicizing, and possibly finding a solution to a
problem.
Humor and the Sting of Satire
British Literature 12-Ramsay High
L. Davis
Essential Question: How Does Literature Shape or Reflect Our Society?
Critical Response
A Modest Proposal
College and Career Readiness Standard: W2 Write explanatory texts to
examine and convey complex ideas
By 1700, Ireland was so completely dominated by England that it
seemed like a conquered territory. The Catholic majority could not
vote, hold public office, or even receive an education. The repressive
policies reduced many Irish people to poverty.
Assignment: As a group, use the Promethean Board flipchart to examine
Swift’s extended metaphor of consumption. Use your notes to write an
analysis of Swift’s “devouring” language. Consider what each word or
term implies about the political environment of England and Ireland.
Explain why Swift’s metaphor is relevant for the time period. You may
use the computer, or any other electronic media to research the
historical background related to Swift’s proposal.
Humor and the Sting of Satire
British Literature 12-Ramsay High
L. Davis
Essential Question: How Does Literature Shape or Reflect Our Society?
Content Connection
A Modest Proposal
College and Career Readiness Standard: RI 6 Determine an author’s
point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly
effective
For the most part, a satirist attempts to bring about change by exposing
an oddity or problem in an imaginative, often humorous, way. The
target is often a social or political one. Horatian satire is playfully
amusing. It seeks to correct vice or foolishness with gentle laughter
and understanding. Juvenalian satire provokes a darker kind of
laughter. It is often bitter or even angry and criticizes corruption or
incompetence with scorn and outrage.
Assignment: Use the wireless listening station to listen to excerpts from
Canto III and V of Alexander Pope’s satirical piece “The Rape of the
Lock”. Determine which piece of writing would be considered Horatian
and which is piece is Juvenalian. In a well-written paragraph, explain
your response using examples from the text to support your answer.
Humor and the Sting of Satire
British Literature 12-Ramsay High
L. Davis
Essential Question: How Does Literature Shape or Reflect Our Society?
Extending and Evaluating
A Modest Proposal
College and Career Readiness Standard: SL 1 Initiate and participate effectively in
a range of collaborative discussion.
Satire, is a literary technique in which people’s behaviors or society’s institutions
are ridiculed for the purpose of bring about social reform. Swift used satire to
comment on specific political and cultural concerns which angered and offended
him. Modern day satirist, use the same reliable tool of logical appeals (facts and
statistics); emotional appeals (words to arouse strong feeling); and ethical appeals
(information that establishes the writer’s qualification and sincerity) to comment
on specific political, environmental and cultural concerns.
Assignment: Read the Beaver Dam Letter and the response to the letters. As a
group, discuss what political, environmental or cultural concerns are being
addressed. Decide on an issue that is relevant to our society. Compose a satirical
proposal to solve the issue. Clearly identify the issue. Address opposing views
and carefully chose nouns for a true satirical effect. Be prepared to present your
proposal to the class.
Humor and the Sting of Satire
British Literature 12-Ramsay High
L. Davis