Focus Questions for "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift
1. “A Modest Proposal” is an ironic essay: The author deliberately writes what he does not mean. What is the real thesis? Are there others?
2. What kind of appeal does the author make? What evidence does he offer in his argument? Underline those words and phrases (Hint-Look closely at paragraphs 4, 6, and 7).
3. What social ills does Swift call attention to in his essay?
4. Why does Swift refer to childbearing women as breeders?
5. Which groups of people are singled out as special targets for Swifts’ attack? Are the Irish simply victims or do they bear some responsibility? If they are partially to blame, for what does Swift criticize them?
6. Does Swift ever present any serious proposals for improving conditions? If so, identify what and where.
7. What is the purpose of the last paragraph?
8. Why does Swift chose to express his views satirically? What advantage does satire have over a straightforward approach to the problem?
Background
This essay was originally published in 1729 under the title "A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from being a Burden to their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public." This bitterly sardonic proposal for alleviating the famine in Ireland was sparked by Swift's intolerance of the hypocrisy of his native Ireland for preaching the joys of parenthood and sacredness of life while at the same time permitting economic corruption and famine. Swift (1667-1745), a political journalist and author of Gulliver's Travels, was also an ordained minister and Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.
Contributing Sources: Professor J. Lynch, Department of Irish Studies
White, Fred D. and Simone Billings. The Well-Crafted Argument.