“A Modest Proposal” and the Penal Laws
1. Which of the following social problems does Swift’s proposal address in his essay? Poverty, unemployment, spousal abuse, child
abuse, abuse of tenants by landlords, religious problems (Catholic/Protestant).
2. Who, according to Swift, are the “principle Breeders of the Nations”? the Catholics (Papists)
3. At what age does Swift suggest that children should be sold? At one year of age—after they have been fattened up.
4. What is the proposer’s religious, social, political affiliation? The “proposer” – the man who is proposing the proposal is
obviously Protestant (because he appears to be anti-Catholic; he is probably upper-middle class (he is educated); he is Irish (as
opposed to English because he is critical of the English)
5. Who does Swift suggest would be happy to “eat up our whole Nation,” even without salt? England
6. Who will be the principal consumers of the babies, according to the proposal? The wealthy people of Ireland.
7. What is a “Papist?” a Catholic (Catholics: popish, Papists, etc—related to the Pope)
8. What were the Irish Penal Laws and what was their purpose?
A series of laws that were enacted in the 17 th and 18th centuries to oppress Irish Catholics— their main purpose was to stamp
out Catholicism in Ireland.
Author of the “A Modest Proposal” – Jonathan Swift