“A Modest Proposal”
“For preventing the children of poor people in Ireland from being a
burden to their parents, and for making them beneficial to the public”
By Jonathan Swift
Close Reading Assingment
Introduction & Definition of the Problem (Line 1-67)
1. What is the problem, and to what extent is it a problem? What information leads you to your
conclusion?
Proposed Solution (Line 68-81)
2. What is the proposed solution? In what ways does it appear serious? In what ways is it
preposterous?
Implementation (Lines 82-133)
3. Briefly, what would be involved in implementing the proposal?
Endorsements (Lines 133-185)
4. Who are the persons who appear to endorse the proposal?
5. In what ways do their endorsements help or hurt the proposal? How do you know?
Advantages (Line 186-247)
6. What are some of the principal advantages of the proposal?
1. ________________________________
2. ________________________________
3. ________________________________
4. ________________________________
5. ________________________________
6. ________________________________
7. (+)______________________________
Possible Objections, concession, and refutation (Lines 248-278)
7. What are the possible objections to the proposal?
8. In what ways does Swift concede some of the objections?
9. In what ways does Seift refute some of the objections?
Closing (Lines 279-318)
10. What does Swift use to reiterate his apparent sincerity?
REFLECTION/POST-READING
1. Describe how the various sections of Swift’s essay work together.
2. How would you characterize Swift’s overall tone in the essay?
3. What means does Swift use to develop this tone?
4. Whom does Swift criticize in this piece?
5. What changes does he hope to bring about?