Essay on A Not So Modest Proposal - 702 Words

In the 1720’s Ireland and its people suffered through decimal harvests and famine spread quickly spread throughout the land. In â€Å"A Modest Proposal†, by Jonathan Swift, the main objective was to draw attention to the plight of the Irish people and motivate readers to find a workable solution. Jonathan Swift’s not so modest proposal was to eat children at the age of one, and although it was an extreme of what should be done, it was a way to gain alert readers of the rising problems in Ireland. He accomplished this task not by criticizing the English, but instead by making a humorous and inspirational proposal; using a persuasive writing technique called satire. Swift was able to strongly influence readers by using various logical, emotional,†¦show more content†¦Another example of Swift using statistics is â€Å"I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Once again calculations come into play and in a way it shows that this proposal has thoroughly been planned out. If logic and reason do not appeal to the senses, maybe emotions will. Swift’s use of emotion is meant to convince the pure of heart. In one such example â€Å"†¦too frequently among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expense than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage inhumane beast.† Although it may not seem like it appeals to emotions it conveys such meaning by showing that if this life where allowed to live for a year it would help so many others survive by providing food. A stronger example of emotion can be found in this exert â€Å"These mothers, instead of being able to work for their livelihood, are forced to employ their time into strolling†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This exert emotion is based on the poor mother, who wastes her time raising children, and concen trates on her children’s survival instead of her own. The emotional appeal that Swift uses is intended to stir up strong feelings towards his point of view. The last technique that swift used to persuade his audience was basedShow MoreRelatedJonathan Swifts A Modest Proposal949 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"A Modest Proposal† by Jonathan Swift takes place in Dublin Ireland in the 18th century. The narrator is a very ironic character. His â€Å"modest† proposal is anything but modest. This short story takes place during a famine. Since there was a famine, Swift proposes the idea that people sell their one year old children to the rich so they would not be a burden to their family. One important way in which the author engages the audience’s attention and tries to help his readers see deeper politicalRead More Self Representation and the Self-Defeating Speaker in Jonathan Swift1735 Words   |  7 Pagesthe insincerity of the speaker. The speaker is, in this sense, self-defeating, but rather than reflecting on to Swift himself, as it does when he is his own speaker, it is projected outwards onto his friends and fellow poets. The speaker in â€Å"A Modest Proposal† is similarly indirectly self-defeating. As in â€Å"Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift, D.S.P.D.†, there are purposeful incoherencies in the speaker’s ethics and logic. Because the narrator is someone aside from Swift, this self-defeating approach impliesRead MoreAnalysis of A Modest Proposal873 Words   |  4 Pages Jonathan Swift, the writer of the satirical essay A Modest Proposal, grew up and lived in Ireland during times of famine and economic struggles (Conditions). Growing up with a single mother and no father, Swift knew what hard times and struggles were like (Jonathan Swift: Biography). His essay proposes an easy solution to the economic problems going on in Ireland for both the wealthy ruling classes and the poorer classes, although his intentions and the meaning behind his words are not what wouldRead MoreEssay on A Modest Proposal: Satire at Its Best643 Words   |  3 PagesA Modest Proposal: Satire at Its Best Jonathan Swifts 1729 essay, A Modest Proposal, was a true example of satire at its best. Many readers at the time rejected the essay because they failed to understand the irony. It is presently one of the most well known works of satire and is a classic example of the technique most commonly used today. The entire essay from the title down to the last sentence were meant to be taken ironically, which is a rare form, but very effective when trying gettingRead MoreA Modest Proposal By Jonathan Swift1647 Words   |  7 PagesSatire in â€Å"A Modest Proposal† and Different Articles Jonathan Swift, author of â€Å"A Modest Proposal,† tries to present different ideas in order to change the situation of Ireland. Through his proposal, he is able to get people’s attention, and the way he uses satire throughout the article made his argument more successful. He wrote this essay to show how ignored and bad the state of Ireland and its social classes are. In â€Å"A Modest Proposal†, Swift effectively uses rhetorical exaggeration to expressRead MoreA Modest Proposal By Jonathan Swift982 Words   |  4 Pages Jonathan Swift, author of â€Å"A Modest Proposal,† tries to present different ideas in order to change the situation of Ireland. Through his proposal, he is able to get his point across. He wrote this essay to show how undeveloped and bad the state of Ireland is and the social classes. In â€Å"A Modest Proposal†, Swift effectively uses insincerity, sarcasm, and rhetorical exaggeration to reveal his annoyance of politicians, papists, and overall citizens of poverty-stricken Ireland in the late seventeenthRead MoreJonathan Swift’s Essay A Modest Proposal, and Voltaire’s Novella, Candide999 Words   |  4 Pagesor novella. In these two works, the authors bring light to ongoing social, political, and philosophical issues of their time and age. The two works I am referring to are Jonathan Swift’s satirical essay, A Modest Proposal, and Voltaire’s novella, Candide, or Optimism. In both A Modest Proposal and Candide, there is a portrayal of iron y, cold logic and reasoning rather than emotion, and misguided philosophy. Exploring the issues within these texts can implement a better understanding of not only theRead MoreA Modest Proposal For Preventing The Children Of Poor People1458 Words   |  6 Pagesin his works of literature is Jonathan Swift, whose hard-hitting essay â€Å"A Modest Proposal For Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland, from Being a Burden on Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Publick† is one of the most popular and analyzed texts within the world of satire, and truly makes one think about the art. One article that explores Swift’s use of satire within â€Å"A Modest Proposal† is Paddy Bullord’s â€Å"The Scriblerian Mock-Arts† This essay delves deeplyRead MoreShocking the Sensibilities in A Modest Proposal771 Words   |  4 Pagesnbsp; Shocking the Sensibilities in A Modest Proposalnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp; Two Works Citednbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Three years after Gullivers Travels was published, Jonathannbsp; Swift wrote A Modest Proposal, a work grounded in thoughtful satire. Swift describes the destitution that characterized the life of Irelands poor in the 18th century then renders a brazenly inhumane solution to their problems. He shocks the sensibilities of the readers then leadsRead MoreModest Proposal Assignment Sheet958 Words   |  4 PagesAP English Language and Composition Ms. Bond Modest Proposal Assignment After reading Swift’s â€Å"A Modest Proposal,† it is time for you to be the satirist. First think of a major problem in modern society (It can be a domestic or international struggle). Then create an absurd solution but effectively argue that solution with ethos, logos and pathos. Do not be afraid to experiment with so-called experts, fantastic statistics and confusing syllogism (when you come to a conclusion from two different