A Modest Proposal – J. Swift
In A Modest Proposal, Swift vents his mounting aggravation at the ineptitude of Ireland's
politicians, the hypocrisy of the wealthy, the tyranny of the English, and the squalor and
degradation in which he sees so many Irish people living. While A Modest Proposal bemoans the
bleak situation of an Ireland almost totally subject to England's exploitation, it also expresses
Swift's utter disgust at the Irish people's seeming inability to mobilize on their own behalf. Without
excusing any party, the essay shows that not only the English but also the Irish themselves--and
not only the Irish politicians but also the masses--are responsible for the nation's lamentable state. His compassion for the misery
of the Irish people is a severe one, and he includes a critique of their incompetence in dealing with their own problems.
Political pamphleteering was a fashionable pastime in Swift's day, which saw vast numbers of tracts and essays advancing
political opinions and proposing remedies for Ireland's economic and social ills. Swift's tract parodies the style and method of
these, and the grim irony of his own solution reveals his personal despair at the failure of all this paper journalism to achieve any
actual progress. His piece protests the utter inefficacy of Irish political leadership, and it also attacks the orientation of so many
contemporary reformers toward economic utilitarianism. While Swift himself was an astute economic thinker, he often expressed
contempt for the application of supposedly scientific management ideas to humanitarian concerns. The main rhetorical
challenge of this bitingly ironic essay is capturing the attention of an audience whose indifference has been well tested. Swift
makes his point negatively, stringing together an appalling set of morally untenable positions in order to cast blame and
aspersions far and wide. The essay progresses through a series of surprises that first shocks the reader and then causes her to
think critically not only about policies, but also about motivations and values.
What sort of persona does Swift create for the "author" of A Modest Proposal?
The "proposer" is notable for his vanity, his cold-heartedness, and the ruthlessness of his logic. He represents the hypocrisy and
superficiality of many would-be reformers, whose seeming benevolence masks such impediments as prejudice, intolerance,
sentimentalism, and hyper-abstraction. His reductive handling of suffering humans as statistical entities and economic
commodities is what makes him most unappealing, in spite of the calm and reasonable tone of his argumentation.
AP Multiple Choice Style Questions:
1. What problem does the narrator call attention to in the first paragraph of "A Modest Proposal"?
(A) his own inability to find work
(B) his wife's inability to bear children
(C) female beggars accompanied by children
(D) the country's ongoing war with Spain
(E) the growth of great towns and the decline of small villages
2.
3.
According to the narrator of “A Modest Proposal,” at what age is a child best suited to serve as the solution to
the problem he identifies? (A) one year, (B) three years, (C) six years, (D) nine years,
(E) twelve years
In paragraph five, before providing the details of his proposal, the narrator identifies “another great
advantage” of the scheme. What is that advantage?
(A) providing fresh ingredients for meat pies
(B) increasing the number of Protestants in the country,
children
(D) preventing voluntary abortions,
4.
(C) freeing mothers from the burden of caring for their
(E) maintaining small class sizes in public schools
After identifying the details of his proposal, the narrator points out "one other collateral advantage.” What is
that advantage?
(A) reducing noise pollution in the vicinity of playgrounds,
(B) lessening the number of
papists (i.e., Catholics)
(C) freeing fathers from the burden of caring for their children,
adults
(E) maintaining small class sizes in public schools
5.
6.
(D) improving the diets of
According to the narrator, a gentleman should be prepared to pay how much for "the carcass of a good fat
child"? (A) twelve pence, (B) ten shillings, (C) one pound, (D) two guineas, (E) one or two farthings
Following a lengthy "digression" (involving testimony from an "American acquaintance"), the narrator
enumerates several more advantages to his proposal. Which one of the following is not one of the advantages
that he describes? (A) increasing the care and tenderness of mothers toward their children, (B) bringing “great
custom” to taverns,
(C) serving as a great inducement to marriage,
(D) relieving “constant breeders” of the expense of
raising their children beyond a certain age,
(E) encouraging young children to mind their manners and obey their parents
7.
What is the one objection that the narrator thinks might "possibly be raised against this proposal"?
(A) It will reduce the number of people in the kingdom.
(B) It is morally repugnant. (C) It is a criminal activity.
(D) It will reduce the country's dependence on lamb and other meat products.
(E) It will deprive landlords of some much-needed income.
8.
Toward the end of the essay, the narrator rejects alternative solutions. Which one of the following is not one of
the “other expedients” that he considers and immediately rejects?
(A) taxing absentee landlords at five shillings a
pound,
(B) requiring shopkeepers to buy only goods that have been made in Ireland,
young age, (D) quitting animosities and factions, and learning to love “our country”,
least one degree of mercy toward their tenants
9.
(C) putting children to work at a
(E) teaching landlords to have at
Because "the flesh [is] of too tender a consistence to admit a long continuance in salt," where will the meat of
infants not be consumed? (A) in the taverns,
(B) in the mansions of wealthy landlords,
(C) in England,
(D) in the rural parts of Ireland
(E) in Dublin
10. In the final sentence of the essay, Swift attempts to demonstrate his sincerity and lack of self-interest by
making which one of the following observations? (A) His youngest child is nine years old, and his wife is beyond
child-bearing age,
(B) He is a citizen of England.
(C) He has no children, and his wife is dead. (D) He has made so
much money from Gulliver's Travels that any income his proposal might generate would be insignificant.
(E) He is a devout Roman Catholic.
11. The author’s style is characterized by his …?
I. Technical claim II. Ironic tone
III. Elaborate syntax
(a.) I only
(b.) II only
(c.) I and II only
(d.) II and III only
(e.) I, II and III
12. In paragraph 6, with the phrase “except where they are of towardly parts,” the speaker…?
I. Refuse a contrasting argument in order to strengthen his position
II. Qualifies a previous generalization about the Irish children
III. Offers an exception to the terms of the proposal
(a.) I only
(b.) II only
(c.) I and III only
(d). II and III only
(e.) I, II, and III
13. In paragraph 6, the speaker makes which of the following appeals?
I. Substantive
II. Authoritative
III. Motivational
(a.) I only
(b.) II only
(c.) I and II only (d.) II and III only (e.) I, II, and III
14. The speaker appeals to each of the following EXCEPT …?
(a.) Pity
(b.) Reason
(c.) Economy
(d.) Avarice
(e.) Pragmatism
15. Paragraph 15 presents appeals to each of the following EXCEPT…?
(a.) Gentility (b.) Patriotism
(c.) Economy
(d.) Utility
(e.) Indulgence
16. 18. The speaker admits which of the following as the strongest objection to any proposal?
(a.) That it would be regarded as cruel.
(b.) That it would promote avarice.
(c.) That it would reduce population
(d.) That it would violate the law,
(e.) That it would encourage exploitation
17. The speaker uses each of the following argument in support of his proposal EXCEPT…?
(a.) It would prevent voluntary abortion
(b.) It would ease the burden of parents too poor to feed their children
(c.) It would decrease the incidence of domestic violence (d.) It would stimulate the Ireland’s economy with a new and
profitable export
(e.) It would provide greater culinary variety for the genteel
18. Which of the following are offered as advantage of the proposal?
I. It would lessen the number of Papist
II. It would increase the number of marriages
III. It would decrease the number of suicides
(a.) I only (b.) II only
(c.) I and II only
(d.) I and III only
19. The tone of Swift’s speaker might best be described as…?
(a.) Reasoned and confident
(e.) Diffident and objective
(b.) Ironic and absurd
(e.) II and III only
(c.) Condescending and indifferent
(d.) Arrogant and illogical
20. Which of the following is most effective in assuaging possible feeling of disgust in the reader?
a. The technical aspect of the facts and figures
b. The speaker’s avoidance of the grotesque
c. The blunt candor of the proposal d. The ironic nature of the proposal
e. The rational analysis supporting the proposal
21. Swift evidently wishes to have effected which of the following among members of his contemporary audience?
(a.) They will be convinced of the soundness of the proposal
(b.) They will be willing to absolve the speaker of selfish
motives.
(c.) They will be willing to adopt a modified version of his proposal.
( d.) They will feel that some of
their own selfish motives are exposed.
(e.) They will view the proposal as an opportunity for personal gain.
Rhetoric and Style Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
How does Swift want the reader to view the speaker? What features best describe the “persona” he adopts?
Note Swift’s diction in the opening paragraphs. IDENTIFY examples of quantification and de-humanization.
EXPLAIN their purpose.
Swift’s speaker explains the anticipated results BEFORE revealing the actual proposal. Explain the rhetorical
purpose of such a strategy.
For each of the classic appeals (ETHOS. LOGOS, PATHOS), indicate two examples from the first 8
paragraphs. Which one is the speaker’s primary appeal? WHY do you think this?
Taking careful note of the diction of paragraph 12, with words such as “dear” and “devoured,” explain the
rhetorical strategy at work.
At the end of paragraphs 3 and 32 may be seen as breaks from Swift’s ironic voice. Explain how that may be
the case, and IDENTIFY ONE other place where Swift’s voice breaks through that of his persona.
Read paragraphs 1-6 of Swift’s satire. Drawing from this section, write an essay in which you explain how
Swift’s ironic persona uses rhetorical strategies to prepare the reader for his proposal.
Read paragraphs 20 – 32, then write an essay in which you explain how Swift uses diction, voice, pacing,
organization and other features of style & rhetoric that you deem significant to develop his position
In the chart below describe the problems the personna in “A Modest Proposal” associates with each group listed. Next, explain
the personna’s solution to the problem and in the final column, describe the supposed “benefits” which will result from the
implementation of this “modest proposal”.
Problem:
Babies
Solution:
Benefits:
Problem:
Children Ages 1 - 12
Solution:
Benefits:
Problem:
Elderly, Maimed, or Ill
Solution:
Benefits:
On the lines provides, write a paragraph in which you describe the ACTUAL solution which Swift wants to be
implemented.
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by Matt Mortensen
Cutting Wit at its Finest: An analysis of the satire of A Modest Proposal
Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal is an excellent example of the sharp wit and biting sarcasm that was employed in the satire
of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Through the effective use of sarcastic comparisons and ironic
exaggerations, Swift managed to impose his cutting wit in a manner and to an extent that was virtually unprecedented in
literature. Although the subjects, or targets, of his sarcasm are different, the genius inherent in his method of employing it is quite
similar.
Jonathan Swift is a master when it comes to satire and cutting wit in writing. His famous satire, A Modest Proposal, is without a
doubt one of the world's foremost examples of genius in biting sarcasm and irony in literature, whether in comparison to the
writings of his time or even down to the present day. The irony and sarcasm inherent in the title alone is a perfect example of the
power of the written word tweaked slightly in its application.
A Modest Proposal is a pamphlet that Swift wrote in protest to the oppressive treatment of the Catholic peasants of Ireland by the
English, particularly the English absentee landlords, after the abdication of James II. At the time of its writing, the peasants of
Dublin, and Ireland in general, were in an extremely poverty-stricken condition (Norton 2473, footnote #1). They had become
quite populous and therefore quite a burden to the state. Therefore, A Modest Proposal is, as Swift states in its introduction, a
proposed solution "for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland from being a burden to their parents or country, and for
making them beneficial to the public (Norton 2473)."
In using the word "modest" to describe his proposal, Swift introduces an exaggeration of epic proportions. The utilization of such
an unassuming word to describe a suggestion as horrific and appalling as that which is described in the proposal is utterly
ludicrous in principle, and this is precisely why it is so effective in its application. A well-employed paradox is an excellent way
to grab the attention of an audience, and Swift is a master of this practice. One needs only read several lines into the text of A
Modest Proposal before it becomes indubitably clear that the proposal is anything but modest.
In short, Swift's "proposal" is that Ireland's overpopulation problem could be solved by selling a large portion if its one-year-old
children on the market to be used as food, among other things, thereby providing income for poor peasant mothers and rendering
them useful to society as a whole. When stated as such, the atrocious nature of the proposal is clear. However, Swift employs
such masterfully subtle and witty language that the reader is almost inclined to not notice the obvious deplorable aspects and to
agree with his arguments (Norton 2473, footnote #1).
The skillful irony that Swift employs throughout the proposal is most notably clear in the justifications of his arguments. Near the
beginning of the text, Swift explains that "it is agreed by all parties" that the overpopulation of children is a problem that is "a
very great additional grievance" to the current "deplorable state" of Ireland. He further states: ". . . and therefore whoever could
find out a fair, cheap, and easy method of making these children sound, useful members of the commonwealth would deserve so
well of the public as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation (Norton 2474, first paragraph)." One cannot deny that
this is a positive and potentially beneficial suggestion. It is not until further along in the text, however, that Swift's true proposal
becomes clear.
When Swift finally begins to introduce the true nature of his suggestions, the reader begins to raise an eyebrow, perhaps, at the
severity of what he is implying. However, the language that he employs again masks the horror of its reality. Swift casually states
that an acquaintance of his has assured him that "a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicate, nourishing,
and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled. He then flippantly adds, "and I make no doubt that it will equally
serve in a fricassee or a ragout (Norton 2475, first paragraph). At this point, the reader must take a step back and ask himself
whether or not he really understands what Swift is implying. Although the language is clear, it is paradoxically at odds with its
tone. It is a masterfully witty use of irony and sarcasm.
Before bringing the proposal to a close, Swift interposes a most unsarcastic statement. It reads:
"Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, till he hath at least some glimpse of hope that
there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice (Norton 2478, fourth paragraph)."
Swift had previously made several suggestions in other writings as to how to really solve some of the problems mentioned in A
Modest Proposal, and this statement is in reference to the fact that none of these suggestions had been taken seriously (Norton
2478, footnote #6).
In closing, there can be no doubt that the satire employed in Jonathan's Swift's A Modest Proposal is cutting wit at its finest. The
sarcastic comparisons and ironic exaggerations, along with the skillfully witty language, add a stinging overtone to his writing
that imprints itself upon the minds of his readers in a manner such that it cannot be forgotten. Sarcasm can be a very sharp sword
indeed, and writers such as Jonathan Swift wield it expertly. His satirical prowess is an example for the ages.
Answers:
1. C;
2. A;
3. D;
4. B;
15. B; 16. A; 17. D; 18. C;
5. B; 6. E; 7. A;
19. A; 20. D; 21. D
8. C;
9. C;
10. A;
11. E;
12. C;
13. E;
14. D;