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A Modest Proposal Satire

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“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift is a fantastically written mock essay from the Neoclassical period in England. Swift was very well known to use his writing to poke fun or mock current problems of his time such as religion and politics. Its use of satire helps to show the corrupt English economic policies of the time. Swift was so convincing with this essay that even people today believe this was true and that Swift is the narrator of this essay saying people should eat children. But this convincing nature is what makes “A Modest Proposal” such a great essay. “A Modest Proposal” is a convincing essay due to many things, one being how the narrator's presents his idea of what to do with the poor people of his time. The narrator has such a lack of empathy for the people in poverty that it seems realistic, as well as …show more content…

The narrator has such a strong and convincing view that it would be easy to do so. But also if the reader is educated on the problems of the time in England they would understand that Swift is proposing a ridiculous solution to a pressing problem that was ignored. Using the absurdity of the narrator’s idea Swift is showing how absurd other ideas of the time are. The narrator’s prejudice and belittling attitude towards beggars help to capture the common attitude of the time and Swift in this essay is mocking people for how they view other less fortunate. In conclusion Jonathan’s Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is a wonderful satire that is hilarious and fun to read, as long as you know it is all a joke. Swift did a great job addressing the problems of his time in a well put together and very criticizing way. “A Modest Proposals” tone and diction help to make it a very convincing literary piece. Swift’s mock essay is such a well written literary piece of the Neoclassical time period that it is great for students today from high school to college to enjoy and

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