Reading Response

READ: Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” pgs.706-712 in Patterns and answer the following questions: NOTE* Make sure you read the author’s bio and background info before reading. Minimum #1 Page.

Please write professionally as a college student.

What problem does Swift identify? What general solutions does he recommend?
What clues indicate that Swift is not serious about his proposal? Use one example from the text to support your answer.
Swift’s target here is the British Government, in particular its poor treatment of the Irish. How would you expect British Government officials to respond to his proposal? How would you except Irish readers to react?
Explain why each of the following groups might take offense to this essay: women, Catholics, butchers, the poor
A satire is a piece of writing that uses wit, irony and ridicule to attack foolishness, incompetence, or evil. How does “A Modest Proposal” fit this definition of satire? Use two examples from the text to explain.

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Question 1

The Modest Proposal was published in 1729 by Jonathan Swift. The essay focused on a proposal which was suggested by Swift that would help the Irish who were suffering from poverty so that they may stop suffering from economic troubles. The proposal featured the sale of the children who would be food to the wealthy persons hence relieving the parents of their burden. In the essay, the problem being addressed by Swift is famine.

(1,074 words)