“A
Modest Proposal” Post-Reading Argument Analysis
Directions: Choose a partner with whom to work. Discuss each question, finding specific evidence from the
text that supports your response. Write thoughtful responses to each question on a separate sheet of paper,
referring to specific evidence from the text. (Please cite all examples by line #.)
1. Who is Swift targeting in this piece? What is his overall main criticism?
2. How does Swift portray himself throughout the essay? In what places does he reveal an egotistical
persona? (tone, attitude)
3. How does Swift dehumanize the people in this essay? What is his purpose in doing so?
4. How does Swift make himself appear to be an expert? (ethical appeal)
5. Why does Swift focus on the benefits of his plan before giving us the details of it? What is the strategy
behind it? What are some of the benefits he lists? (organization)
6. What point is Swift trying to make about landlords in lines 86-93? How is he careful with his wording?
(diction)
7. What can you infer about the social and political conditions in Ireland from the essay?
8. How does Swift ironically criticize Catholicism in lines 158-160? Why is this clever?
9. In lines 143-186, Swift lists the advantages of his proposal. We listed each of these in as we read. What
are some of the criticisms of society implied in these paragraphs by stating these advantages? What is
Swift REALLY saying about the wealthy Protestants here?
10. Does Swift hold out any hope that Ireland will be able to save itself without resorting to his “modest”
proposal? Hint: reread lines 187-205. What does Swift really want the Irish to do?
11. Reread the final paragraph. What is ironic about Swift’s comment about his own family?
12. Do you think this is an effective use of satire? Why or why not?
After you finish responding to the questions, in your pairs, choose the two most effective moves Swift makes
in his essay. Cite the lines in the box below, label the tool,
and then explain how these examples help to get Swift’s overall message across.
Line from Text
Satire Tool
Explanation