Reflection on the Modest Proposal

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Jonathan Swift text “the modest proposal” is an excellent example of the sharp wit and biting sarcasm, through the effective use of sarcastic comparisons and ironic exaggerations, he managed to impose his purpose. The irony and sarcasm inherent in the title alone: in using the word “modest” to describe his proposal, Swift introduces an exaggeration of epic proportions. The utilization of such unassuming word to describe a suggestion as horrific as that is utterly ludicrous. In his text Swift satirizes the English landlords with outrageous humor, proposing that Irish infants be sold as food at age one, when they are plump and healthy, to give the Irish a new source of income and the English a new food product to bolster their economy and eliminate a social problem. In the beginning of the text one cannot deny that this is a positive and potentially beneficial suggestions he states that “… and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making children…” he actually gives advantages for this suggestion. By referring to women as breeders, he not only denounced them, but he was able to add to the ludicrous tone he was aiming to achieve. He is presenting a shockingly extreme case of cold-blooded “rationality “in order to make his readers reexamine their own priorities. In my opinion, Swift’s essay had a strong impact, and I’m sure had an even stronger impact in the era in which it was written. His use of hyperboles, metaphors, irony, and sarcasm greatly influenced the message. Because of his literary techniques he was able to draw the reader in to his essay and really get his message

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