Download From Gulliver`s Travels by Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift, "A Modest Proposal"
– Work From the Master Satirist of the
Restoration and Enlightenment
Satire and Arguments for Change
ENG 4UI
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)
 Born in Dublin,
Ireland, Swift's family
was poor, but a
generous uncle funded
Jonathan's education at
Kilkenny Grammar
school.
"Stella," Swift's True Love
 Undecided about what
career to pursue, Swift
went to live and work with
retired diplomat Sir
William Temple. There he
met Esther Johnson,
nicknamed "Stella," to
whom he dedicated much
of his work.
 Swift was buried by her
side, although their
relationship was unsteady.
When in Doubt, Become a Priest
 After failing at
becoming a poet, he
moved to Ireland to
become a priest. Two
years later, he
rededicated himself to
becoming a writer.
Meniere's Syndrome
 Swift suffered from
dizziness and nausea,
which was probably
Meniere's Syndrome.
Swift and the Human Race
 He said he "liked
individuals but hated
humanity." He did
care enough to try to
mend the injustices
that he saw.
Notable Satirical Works
 Swift's satirical works included: The Battle
of the Books, A Tale of a Tub, Gulliver's
Travels, and the essay "A Modest
Proposal."
Satire
 A literary work in which irony, sarcasm, or
caustic wit is used to attack or expose folly,
vice, or stupidity.
 Satire uses verbal irony to great effect.
Verbal irony occurs when what is said is
not the same as what is meant. For example,
saying "Nice day, isn't it?" during a
rainstorm is an example of verbal irony.
"A Modest Proposal"
 Swift used satire in this
essay to address the
problem of famine in
Ireland.
 Swift argues, by economic
reasoning as well as from
a moral stance, for a way
to turn starvation into its
own solution.
 The proposal, once you
identify Swift's solution,
turns out to be anything
but modest…
"A Modest Proposal" – Anticipation Questions
Consider the following questions as your read the text.
 What are the problems afflicting Ireland with
which Swift is concerned in "A Modest
Proposal"?
 What is the primary consideration of the writer's
argument? Justice, revenge, economics, or
political power?
 According to the writer in "A Modest Proposal,"
what are the advantages of his proposal?
 What best describes the cumulative emotional
effect on the reader of the speaker's presenting the
advantages of his proposal one after another?
Jonathan Swift Discussion Questions
 Toward the end of "A Modest Proposal," the
speaker notes alternative solutions to the problems
of Ireland. How do these alternatives reflect values
that differ from the speaker's values? Why do you
think Swift included these alternatives in the essay
but then had the speaker reject them?
Jonathan Swift Discussion Questions
 What are some things that Swift accomplishes by
referring to people in "A Modest Proposal" with
such terms as dam, breeders, and salable
commodity?
 Restate, in your own words, what Baron Lytton
meant when he wrote in 1839 that "The pen is
mightier than the sword." Then give two reasons
that you think this is or is not true today.