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English 12 – “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift (pages 566-72)
A satire is a work that uses irony, humor, and imitation to identify problems and to
criticize those responsible. Satirists expose the follies and vices of a person or group by
making them seem absurd. In “A Modest Proposal,” Jonathan Swift uses exaggeration to
attack what he sees as Britain’s cruel indifference to the Irish. In this time of the
Enlightenment, he takes economic logic to a heartless extreme. Swift also uses measured
words and understatement to keep his proposal “modest” and free of emotion.
Directions: As you are reading answer the following questions in complete sentences.
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Reading Strategy
1. What does this passage tell you about the conditions of Ireland?
Big Idea
2. What characteristics does the speaker display this paragraph?
Reading Strategy
3. What details in this paragraph suggest that poverty is an urgent problem?
Literary Element
4. What does the term breeders suggest?
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Literary Element
5. What does the speaker imply about his American acquaintance?
Big Idea
6. Despite the speakers proposal, what details in this paragraph suggest that he is
logical?
7. What solution to the problem does the speaker propose?
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Literary Element
8. What examples of irony do you see in this paragraph?
Literary Element
9. What is ironic about the speaker’s saying that he is against cruel plans?
Vocabulary
10. Define – DEFERENCE:
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Literary Element
11. How does the language contribute to the irony in this paragraph?
12. Define – DIGRESS:
Reading Strategy
13. Whom does the speaker identify as the cause of Ireland’s misery?
Reading Strategy
14. How does the author, Jonathan Swift, suggest that the speaker’s plan is
ridiculous?
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Literary Element
15. Why does the reader identify “weddings” and “christenings” as particularly
appropriate occasions for eating children?
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Reading Strategy
16. Why does the speaker include these “other expedients”?
Reading Strategy
17. To which county does the speaker allude?
Part II – Quote Analysis
Directions: Read each of the following excerpts from “A Modest Proposal.” Then
answer the question that follows, citing evidence from the excerpt and the essay.
“And it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for
them in such a manner as…they shall…contribute to the feeding
and partly to the clothing of many thousands.”
Before Swift reveals his grisly plan, he uses satire to poke fun at “enlightened” social
comment. What makes this passage effective as satire?
“I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very
proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured the most
of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.”
After proposing that Britain eat its starving children, Swift comments on the price of this
food source. What does Swift reveal about his opinions here?
Part III – Analyzing Text Structure
Directions: Use the graphic organizer to track the problems, mock proposals, and real
solutions in Swift’s satirical essay.