Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal"

Question 1

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."A very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supply'd by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so great a number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and service.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

C: Swift uses irony when he says the person with whom he discussed his plan is “very worthy” and “a true lover of this country.”

Question 2

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."As to our City of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and butchers we may be assured will not be wanting; although I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

D: He states that sending children to the butcher would be as simple as “roasting pigs.”

Question 3

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individual Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloaths, nor houshold furniture, except what is of our own growth and man

Revolt · Accepted Answer

t: to shame the greedy people who have contributed to Ireland’s poverty instead of trying to help eradicate it

Question 4

"the contradiction between what is said and what is really meant""a description of something as being smaller or less than it really is""the use of humor to emphasize the negative qualities of society""an incorrect assumption that forms the basis of an argument"

Revolt · Accepted Answer

D: "an incorrect assumption that forms the basis of an argument"

Question 5

How does the title, "A Modest Proposal," tell the reader that the piece is satirical?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

T: The author’s proposal is actually extreme and violent, not gentle as the title says.

Question 6

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the cloathing of many thousands. . . .

Revolt · Accepted Answer

C: that parents would rather sell their children than be responsible for them

Question 7

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individual Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloaths, nor houshold furniture, except what is of our own growth and man

Revolt · Accepted Answer

t: to show that real reform is possible with reasonable sacrifice

Question 8

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging England.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

D: to remind readers that each human being is valuable

Question 9

"a contradiction between what is said and what is really meant""the use of humor to emphasize the negative qualities of society""a description of something as being smaller or less than it really is""the use of an incorrect assumption that forms the basis of an argument"

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A: "a contradiction between what is said and what is really meant"

Question 10

Who is Swift ridiculing using satire in "A Modest Proposal"?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

B: the English government, which seemed to care little about the Irish people

Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal" Answers

More from this Course

TRY EDGENUITY HACKS