Jonathan Swift wrote “A Modest Proposal” in 1729 as piece of political satire, or as Cody (2000) puts it, a “disgusted parody” and a “savage indictment,” (p. 1). As it falls within the genre of satire, there is a healthy dose of humor embedded in the text but also rich political commentary as well. As both the course text and Cody (2000) point out, Swift was concerned about issues like class conflict and discrimination against the Irish. Swift recognized that the English were systematically exploiting the Irish. “A Modest Proposal” makes an outlandish case for eating children as the solution to poverty.
Swift writes “A Modest Proposal” in first person, effectively making it seem that he truly believes in what he is saying. The approach can be considered ironic, in that what Swift states on the surface is not precisely what he means. The entire substantive content, and not just the ending, of “A Modest Proposal” are surprising. “A Modest Proposal” is shocking not because Swift suddenly introduces the concept of eating children at the end of the passage, but because the concept is introduced early in the essay and matter-of-factly.
However, in the last paragraph, Swift notes with tongue firmly in cheek that he has “no children” he can contribute to the public cause (Swift, 1729, last para.). This last paragraph is therefore potently ironic. Swift has just presented a firm proposal to solve social, economic, and political problems but then proceeds to say that he has “not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work,” (Swift, 1729, last para.). His lack of interest in personally helping the Irish cause is actually part of Swift’s overall strategy of lambasting the English through satire. With this surprise ending, Swift suggests even that the Irish might lack the gumption to take steps to make a change in their own society.
References
Cody, D. (2000). A Modest Proposal. Retrieved online: http://www.victorianweb.org/previctorian/swift/proposal1.html
Course Text.
Swift, J. (1729). A modest proposal. Retrieved online: http://www.victorianweb.org/previctorian/swift/modest.html
Modest Proposal When did the surprise ending become clear in Swift's short story "A Modest Proposal"? And how successful was Swift in convincing a reader of the validity of the surprise ending? These points will be covered and critiqued in this paper. At what point in the story did it become clear Swift would have a different ending? When did it become clear that Swift couldn't possibly go any further in his
Jonathan Swift's "A Modest proposal" is a satirical work that draws the reader in, defining and describing a social problem of poor families with children they are unable to feed. The surprise is not revealed at the end, but part the way through the work, where the suggestion of cannibalism is made. Swift suggests that a solution which will help alleviate poverty and the strain placed on families to feed
SWIFT'S A MODEST PRPOSAL Surprise Ending - Swift The Surprise Ending in Swift's a Modest Proposal In his essay A Modest Proposal (1729) Jonathon Swift ironically puts forth the proposition that for the betterment of Irish society, children of the poor, particularly Catholic children, because there was an over abundance, should be slaughtered and eaten. Swift maintains that this practice would solve a number of societal problems. It would decrease the number
Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is quite an unusual work of literature, and one which certainly has a surprise ending. The only allusions to the wild solution that the author will offer to the very real problem plaguing the streets of Ireland -- that of the unfortunate beggar children and their mothers of Irish distinction -- is the fact that it is quite obvious that this essay is a
Satire-moliere-Voltaire -- swift Satire In Tartuffe, Candide And A Modest Proposal Generally speaking, satire is a literary form or work which exploits human vices, such as greed, avarice and jealousy, in order to ridicule. Some of the literary devices used to accomplish satire include wit, irony and sarcasm which exposes or discredits human foibles. Satire is usually directed at individuals or institutions with political or social leanings and serves, at times, as
Tartuffe, Swift and Voltaire In his own way, Moliere's Tartuffe represents one aspect of the Enlightenment, if only a negative one, since he is a purely self-interested individual who cares only about advancing his own wealth and status. He is a fraud, a con artist and a hypocrite who puts on a show of religion but is really only interested in stealing Orgon's estate -- and his wife. Orgon is too
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now