Name:
Satire: “A Modest Proposal,” by Jonathan Swift
Satire
"Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own; which is the chief
reason for that kind of reception it meets in the world, and that so very few are offended with it."—Swift, Jonathan
Considered to be the greatest satirist of England, Jonathan Swift channeled his disgust with the inhumanity into his
satire. In simplest terms, satire ridicules its subject, exposing its weaknesses. It is social commentary, in the least, but
often acts as social protest. There are two types of satire borrowed from the two great Roman satirists:
Horatian: subtly ridicules a subject worthy of criticism; often described as “soft” satire. Named for Horace (b. 65
B.C., d. 8 B.C.), who followed Lucilius in ridiculing folly and bad taste. He wrote the Sermones (30 B.C.), two
books of discourses that were conversational in style, funny and genteel, and encompassing a variety of
subjects. He was lauded for his facility "ridentem dicere verum" ("to tell the truth with a smile"), and his poems
comment on the foibles of mankind, rather than undertaking malicious criticism.
Juvenalian: harshly ridicules a subject worthy of criticism; often described as “biting” satire. Named for Juvenal
(b. A.D. 60-70), who published his sixteen satires in five books in the second and third decades of the 2nd
century A.D., during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian. Juvenal claimed Horace and Lucilius were his masters, but
his poetry is anything but gentle. His satires are notable for their bitter and ironic, power of
invective, grim
epigram, sympathy with the poor, narrow-minded pessimism, attacking the rich, and condemning the female
sex.
“A Modest Proposal”
Swift’s “A Modest Proposal was written as a reaction to a particular social ill of his time: the Irish “problem.” It was
common for politicians to write pamphlets about issues of the time and to distribute them in the streets of London.
Swift, outraged by the lack of sympathy for the Irish by the English and their government, decided to write a pamphlet
unlike any other, offering a solution to the “problem.”
In writing a pamphlet, it was necessary to clearly identify the problem and to offer a viable, logical solution. The solution
must be supported with evidence. As you read the essay, identify and write down:
The problem:
The major solution:
Further solutions and evidence in bullet points:
Solutions:
Evidence used to support it:
Solutions continued:
Evidence used to support it:
Rhetorical Analysis
In making an argument, the Aristotle’s tradition of rhetoric suggests that the speaker offer a range of appeals in order to
fully convince his or her audience in their persuasion. After having read the essay, find one of each in Swift’s writing. Be
sure to cite page number.
The appeals are:
Ethos: ethical appeal. Establishes honesty, reliability, and credibility, which are achieved through unpretentious,
clear, concise writing. This establishes the speaker as qualified and experienced, one who is abreast of
facts.
Example:
Logos: logical appeal. Appeals to reason through deduction, establishing cause and effect, defining, comparing,
and using evidence and testimony. This establishes that the speaker is a logical and credible person.
Example:
Pathos: emotional appeal. Appeals to emotion through diction, figurative language, and tone. This establishes
that the speaker cares about his or her subject and is able to infect their hearer with the same concern.
Example:
Techniques in Satire
A writer of satire relies heavily on a particular set of skills in creating their satire. Several of them are defined below.
Below each definition, find a piece of Swift’s writing that exemplifies the technique defined. Be sure to cite page
numbers. They may not all be present.
Situational irony: expecting a situation to be different than it is
Example:
Euphemism: the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest
something unpleasant
Example:
Verbal irony: stating something but intending a different meaning (often sarcasm)
Example:
Hyperbole: an extreme exaggeration
Example:
Understatement: understating the description or effect of something for ironic effect
Example:
Innuendo: an insinuation or intimation about a person or thing, especially of a disparaging or a derogatory
nature
Example:
Written Response
Name what type of satire “A Modest Proposal” may be labeled. Prove your claim with three details (quotes with cites)
from the essay, followed by appropriate elaboration and commentary. Attach your Response to this assignment.