Response Questions – Swift’s “Modest Proposal”- either with your partner or on your own, discuss and write down the answer to your assigned question .
Rachel S, Hallie
Emily, Rebecca
1. What is Swift's attitude toward the beggars he describes in the opening paragraph? How does he feel about the poor Irish in general?
Sean
Kyle, Brenna
2. Where do the speaker's allegiances lie in this essay? With what social groups does he identify himself?
Kali
Drew
3. In paragraph 6, Swift alludes to the economic situation in Ireland. Explain the economic situation and why it doesn’t allow for large populations of people.
Amita, Tim
Alex
4. Why might Swift mention an American in London in paragraph 9?
Courtney, Sam
Zane, Hannah
5. How does Swift rationalize his proposal in paragraphs 10-16?
Lia, Kammie
Lindsey
6. What does “popish” mean?
Dylan, Xinyang
Azita, Savannah
7. Persona can be defined as the character created by the rhetor when she/he writes, speaks, or presents. What sort of persona does Swift create for the "author" of A Modest Proposal?
Olivia, Brittany
Chelsey, Eli
8. Where do you detect differences between the "proposer" and Swift himself?
Ryann, Josh
Matt
9. If Swift does not actually think the Irish people should eat their children, what does he think they should do?
Daelin, Rachel F.
Cassie
10. Who is the audience of this work?
Dylan, Nick
Sharif
11. Who will be the beneficiaries of this "Modest Proposal"?
Candace
Sophia
12. When did it first become apparent to you that Swift's proposal was not serious? How did you respond?
Matt
13. What relevance does A Modest Proposal have for contemporary social and political issues?
Riley
Cassius
14. In paragraph 25, Swift uses the word “profit.” How can the meaning of this word be interpreted in a variety of ways?
Celeste
Hunter
15. How might the phrase “it’s a dog eat dog world” fit in with Swift’s proposal?
Now It’s Your Turn!
DUE AT THE START OF CLASS TOMORROW!
Based on the options below, create your own Modest Proposal (three to four paragraphs in length) Be sure to include the following elements:
1. Your response must be satirical.
2. Your response must include two metaphors.
3. Your response must include a well-known aphorism
4. Use of connotation.
5. Deliberate persona.
6.Your response must include metonymy.
Option #1: That Ain’t No Dance Move!
It has come to the attention of school officials and students at Camas High School that the “activities” at school dances are out of hand, inappropriate, vulgar and dangerous. Despite the efforts of administration and staff, the “activities” continue and prove to cause turmoil in many students’ lives. Propose a solution to the problem.
Option #2: Running on Empty
Gas prices are up $.22 from a year ago and $.14 from a month ago. Something has got to change or more Americans will find themselves walking to work. Propose a solution to rising gas prices.
Rhetorical Devices
As we start to further explore style, you will want to become more familiar with rhetorical devices….so…..
1. Get out your Lang terms lists on lit terms (metonomy, allegory, paradox…)
2. With a partner, read through Swift’s proposal yet again and hunt for ANY and all rhetorical devices. Team with the most wins….something valuable (like knowledge or extra credit).
“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), (Gulliver’s Travels)
Published in 1729.
Ireland (not an independent country) was far poorer than England.
Most Irish were Roman Catholics, many employed as laborers on farms.
Landowners (many of whom were Protestant and held ties to England) were paid from the produce of the land at rates workers could rarely afford.
Ruling class were usually Protestants, many not born in Ireland or living there permanently.
No social security system, starvation common, workers easily replaced.
Swift was aware that some Irish had been driven to cannibalism.