Analysis on a Modest Proposal - 1421 Words

English Commentary – Digression â€Å" A modest proposal† by Jonathan Swift is a rhetoric piece that satirizes the dismal political, social and economic conditions in 18th century Ireland. As a solution, the preposterous proposal suggests that the Irish eat their own babies; as it is logically viable, and economically profitable: a condition adhering to the rational mentality of the age of reason. Swift develops his argument on two levels: A seemingly intellectual persona, caricaturized on a stereotypical upper class Englishman who promotes cannibalism through the use of subtle euphemisms. And the other, as himself, cleverly veiled in the caustic undertones of the pamphlet who is appalled at the plight of the Irish. Swift uses this dual†¦show more content†¦The trustworthiness of the persona is further questioned, as he justifies himself by Psalmanazar (another authority), who is known to be a fraud. The persona uses the form of a ceremonial speech to dress his proposal, disgracing the condition of the Irish, in light of his visionary idea. The features of a speech as such would include strategic procatalepsis’[1] (some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice, although very unjustly indeed) adopted by the persona, to disillusion the reader into believing he has taken into consideration all possible objections; reflective of him being both well researched and reasonable. To an extent the sophistry[2] achieved in this extract through double negatives, â€Å"It is not improbable† confuses the reader into agreement with the persona. This is further complemented by his tone of matter-of-fact seriousness, veiling the actual absurdity of the proposal. On a literal level, these persuasive tactics establish him as credible. However, Swift’s deriding undertones expose them as an obvious hoax to sway the audience. It is at this point the audience realizes that the proposal is a satire, as the persona confidently refers to then-current events of known unreliability to assure his credence. Swift uses this irony to reveal the persona as a sham, and hence awaken the audience to the reality, that the proposal is not meant to be taken seriously. The proposalShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of A Modest Proposal939 Words   |  4 PagesJonathan Swift’s â€Å"A Modest Proposal† Dr. Jonathan Swift wrote A Modest Proposal in the 1700s, addressing the idea to feed the poor. In this he successfully mocks the heartless attitudes the Irish have toward the poor. During this time conditions have been worsening in Ireland. Dr. Swift uses understatements, irony, sarcasm, and paradox in his satire piece. Swift makes it clear that more often than not citizens were passive about the present problems. With that, he created A Modest Proposal in likes toRead 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 mean ing behind his words are not what wouldRead MoreA Modest Proposal Analysis Essay1465 Words   |  6 PagesA Modest Proposal Literary Analysis By J--- ----------- J--- ----------- Mr. H----- Period 6 2 May 2011 Jonathan Swift’s Use of Satire and Exaggeration Satire is a form of literature in which an author tries to demonstrate his or her point of view by ridiculing. The author uses heavy irony and sarcasm in order to criticize a social issue. A perfect example of a work of satire is Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal. In this satirical essay, Jonathan Swift attacks on the issue of theRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of A Modest Proposal722 Words   |  3 PagesA Modest Rhetorical Analysis Since its original publishing in 1729, Jonathan Swift’s pamphlet â€Å"A Modest Proposal† has endured for its rhetorical complexity (and sheer satirical absurdities). Through judicious use of ethos (ethical appeal), logos (logical appeal), and pathos (emotional appeal), Swift crafts a sarcastic, insincere, overly embellished argument to address Irelands food shortage and economic crisis meant to simultaneously entice and repulse readers. His audience is explicitly asked toRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of A Modest Proposal 1863 Words   |  8 PagesRhetorical Analysis: A Modest Proposal In â€Å"A Modest Proposal,† Jonathan Swift provides a satirical exploration of the attitudes of the wealthy people towards the underprivileged and poor children in the society. Laymen and intellectuals during the late seventeenth century distributed political pamphlets containing different ideas throughout Ireland. In his essay, Swift utilizes some of the overlooked pamphlets during this period and develops an ironic proposal. As a colony of the British, IrelandRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article A Modest Proposal 1482 Words   |  6 Pages The article â€Å"A Modest Proposal† is a proposal made by a man named Jonathan Swift who is also known for Gulliver’s Travels which is another well spoken essay of satire. When the people of Dublin are suffering from poverty and overpopulation, Swift writes up a satirical hyperbole that mocks the heartless Irish attitudes towards the poor. The bottleneck effect of people was so dreadful that all the Catholic families of Dublin were not able to support their own children. Due to these conditions SwiftRead MoreModest Proposal Analysis Essay1122 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"A Modest Proposal† is an essay written by Jonathan Swift as a reaction to the social problem faced by the Irish in 1720’s. Swift’s daring dark and social satire and dark irony to make a statement in this literary work triggered the minds of the rich Englishmen and Irish landlords to question their actions towards the poor Irish people. 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The messages in these parodies are both gone for a similar kind of group of onlookers, the privileged society. In A Modest Proposal, Swift expounds on a conceivable answer for Irelands destitution and over populace. His work was pointed towards the English, grumbling of their abuse. He assaults the English for conservative issues of Ireland by proposing a detailed arrangement to utilizeRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of A Modest Proposal1111 Words   |  5 Pagespeople were having to live under. Jonathan Swift, an Ireland satirist, felt obligated to change the conditions that the people of Ireland and himself were living in. In a proposal, Swift uses extreme irony and exaggeration to bring attention to what he is truly trying to reciprocate to his audience. Through â€Å"A Modest Proposal†, Swift turns to the political leaders and the mistreated people of Ireland to offer his solution for the debt of Ireland, overpopulation, and general pride in one’s country