A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

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While the argument and nearly all of the content in this excerpt from “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift is satirical, the first specific example of satire is in the title itself. Before reading the entirety of the excerpt, this is impossible to recognize. Once the content of this “modest proposal” is understood by the reader, it is clear that the title is meant to be highly ironic. The proposal- succinctly stated- is that in order to deal with the surplus of unfed infants in Ireland, they should be used as food for the rest of the populace. Until the reader reaches the point at which this is revealed, it is likely that the essay could be read as one of serious content. Recognition of the premise of Swift’s argument however, reveals that …show more content…
Instead of clearly stating this argument, Swift employs satire- a device by which humor, sarcasm, or exaggeration are used to imply the author’s purpose- in order to criticize his target audience. The sarcasm in Swift’s essay is easily identifiable upon examination of his use of language to establish tone. An educated, overly sincere voice emerges, which serves to add humor and irony to the excerpt. By initially using the word “melancholy” to describe the current state of affairs and subsequently suggesting a plan involving cannibalism on a large scale, Swift introduces ironic humor to the selection while presenting highly hypocritical content. Another such example is when Swift details “that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children”, which is both highly hypocritical and ironic as well. This use of ironic word choice allows the reader to easily recognize Swift’s true tone; if the content of the argument alone is not enough to show that he is being facetious, the diction should make it readily

A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Angel Younghanz Mr.Pitts AP Lang November 13 2016 “A Modest Proposal” Rhetorical Analysis A pamphlet was introduced in the late seventeenth century that mocked Ireland's backward ideology with satirical ideas that reflect the system's attitude towards the lower class citizens . Jonathan Swift the author of “Modest Proposal” addressed the upper class with realistic, but harsh ideas that consist of inhuman thoughts and intentions. He often refers to eating children and exporting their parts…

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A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

not pay attention to them. As a way to take advantage of the overlooked pamphlets handed out, Jonathan Swift author of “A Modest Proposal” sets out to write an over exaggerating proposal to one big problem that was plaguing Ireland. The reason for him writing this proposal is to show the people of his country how bad it is in its economic wealth and social class. Swift’s proposal is to have the “children of professed beggars” (486), sold to the wealthy people of Ireland so that they would “contribute…

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A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

In A Modest Proposal, Swift uses logical, emotional, and ethical appeals to strengthen his message. An example of emotional appeal portrayed in the story is when the beggars are seen lining the streets walking in sorrow and pain, desperate for food. The image of suffering mothers and children cause the reader to be empathetic to the Irish in poverty. Swift’s logical appeals include the observation that “markets will be more glutted than usual, because the number of popish infants, is at least three…

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A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

"A Modest Proposal", but it is quite riveting! I must tell you though it touches on some interesting concepts. Though those concepts might be hard for you to understand and accept, I'm going to tell you why the Proposal is worth a chance. Mr. Swift made a suggestion to eat little babies and children. He is not by any means serious, he just wants to make you and everyone else listen by inserting a shock factor. You, sir, would perhaps be the most important person that should read this proposal, because…

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A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

In "A Modest Proposal,” published in 1729, Jonathan Swift proposes a heinous solution to assist with Ireland's economic dilemmas, selling and eating financially-strained children, as he believes that by doing so, it will reduce monetary stress, solve religious disputes, and create stronger social bonds. In order to successfully convey his message, Swift utilizes sarcasm and situational irony while laying out the pros of his suggestion, through ideas such as all gentlemen with "any refinement in taste"…

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Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

In the satirical piece Modest Proposal, Swift points out the problems in seventeen-hundred Ireland in an unconventional way. With all of the poverty and overpopulation in Ireland at the time, he suggests raising poor children as food or delicacies for the wealthy. Swift shocks the reader with this suggestion in order to express the problems of Ireland through satire which is created by formal diction, logical evidence, and irony. Throughout this piece, Swift speaks in a professional tone as if he…

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A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

defined as the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices particularly used in the context of contemporary politics. Jonathan Swift, the author of A Modest Proposal, uses both of these literary tools in his writing. In the article A modest Proposal , Swift distinguishes a pronounced problem in the country of Ireland. The dilemma consists of the overgrowth of poor children who are…

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A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

Johnathan Swift continues to use satire within his writing of “A Modest Proposal”. The use of satire is continuously recognized in the main characters proposal. The author mentions eating, selling, and using babies as clothing to lessen the burden children have on poorer families. He continued to use exaggeration stating “those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flay the carcass” doing so shows his nonstop use of exaggeration within the text. A person reading the main…

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A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

societies, and questioning one's beliefs. There are many different ways that people satirize popular culture, such as Steven Colbert, The Onion, and Ig Nobel Prize. Satire has also been used in the stories we have read this LP. In the short story “A Modest Proposal” Satire was used when the author said the solution to the issue is the children. He was saying that the children should be eaten. Since the children can’t provide or defend themselves, they will be good food for are the hungry people. Using satire…

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A Modest Proposal Rhetorical Analysis

Essay: Assignment 1 The piece of satire entitled “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift starts out thoroughly explaining, in gritty detail the effects of the economically overbearing English landowners starving the Irish lower classes out of prosperity. As stated by, Sayre (2015), Swift described the terrible status quo as such “Irishmen worked farms owned by Englishmen who charged them such high rents that they were frequently unable to pay them, and consequently lived on the brink of starvation…

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