Satire Modest Proposal Essay - 837 Words

Effectively ushering change in society or pointing out faults that have existed and gone unnoticed can be a daunting task for any social commentator. Often, blandly protesting grievances or concerns can fall upon deaf ears and change can be slow or non-existent. However some social commentators, such as Jonathan Swift in his pamphlet A Modest Proposal, use clever, targeted, and ironic criticism to bring the social state of Ireland to the attention of indolent aristocrats. He accomplishes such criticism through satire, specifically Juvenanlian satire. Swift’s A Modest Proposal stands as a perfect example of the type of satire that plays upon the audience’s emotion by creating anger concerning the indifference of the voice created. He†¦show more content†¦Contrastingly, such morally unconventional solutions would not exist in a calmer, straight forward Horatian satire. Swift’s development of the absurd proposal for eating young children so that â€Å"the poorer tenants will have something valuable† or that there â€Å"would be constant customers for infants flesh† is enhanced by numerous examples of biting irony. Such irony exists even in the title: â€Å"A Modest Proposal.† Upon reading the text, the audience can agree that Swift’s proposal is far from modest and such irony servers to enrage and puzzle the readers to the point that they question why he would be using such shifting, ironic diction. Swift’s use of absurd logic to his proposal supplements the effectiveness of verbal irony, since no one would believe that children should be eaten to improve â€Å"in the art of making good bacon†. The aforementioned examples illustrate Swift’s craftiness and the use irony to almost mock the audience. In true Juveliean fashion, such techniques are designed to arouse the reader to anger and suspicion of what is trying to be said. A satire based on the Horatian type wouldn’t use such blatantly offensive irony. Rather, the tone of voice would be â€Å"gentler, more good humored and sympathetic† (â€Å"Horatian Satire†). In contrast to such an authorial voice, Swift, throughShow MoreRelatedSatire In A Modest Proposal2026 Words   |  9 Pagesit still a common theme today, though which particular characterizes makes someone privileged continues to change over time. In Jonathan Swift’s essay â€Å"A Modest Proposal,† Swift uses the elements of satire to ridicule Irish oppressors, specifically the Catholics and the rich. LITERARY ANALYSIS One of the most commonly used elements of satire is irony, which Swift uses freely to show the monetary and religious divisions in Irish society. After suggesting the idea of eating babies and wearing theirRead MoreSatire of a Modest Proposal Essay1331 Words   |  6 Pageshis pamphlet â€Å"A Modest Proposal.† The main argument for this mordantly ironic essay is to capture the attention of a disconnected and indifferent audience. Swift makes his point by stringing together a dreadfully twisted set of morally untenable positions in order to cast blame and aspersions on his intended audience. Jonathan Swift’s â€Å"A Modest Proposal† employs despicably vivid satire to call for change in a world of abuse and misfortune. The entire proposal stands as a satire in itself; an analogyRead MoreEssay on A Modest Proposal: Satire at Its Best643 Words   |  3 PagesA Modest Proposal: Satire at Its Best Jonathan Swifts 1729 essay, A Modest Proposal, was a true example of satire at its best. Many readers at the time rejected the essay because they failed to understand the irony. It is presently one of the most well known works of satire and is a classic example of the technique most commonly used today. The entire essay from the title down to the last sentence were meant to be taken ironically, which is a rare form, but very effective when trying gettingRead MoreSatire in Swifts A Modest Proposal Essay597 Words   |  3 PagesSatire in Swifts A Modest Proposal Swifts aim of his proposal is to expose the cruelty of the rich landlords of Ireland, who were not being aware of the poverty and suffering of the Irish people. Swifts proposal is an attempt to suggest a remedy of Irelands situation by shocking those who are powerful enough to inflict change on Irelands appalling circumstances. In order to do this Swift creates an alter egoRead MoreUsing Satire in A Modest Proposal† by Jonathan Swift760 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"A Modest Proposal† by Jonathan Swift, is an essay that uses satire. Merriam-Webster defines satire as: a way of using humor to show that someone or something is foolish, weak, bad, etc.: humor that shows the weaknesses or bad qualities of a person, government, society, etc. â€Å"Satire may make the reader laugh at, or feel disgust for, the person or thing satirized. Impishly or sardonically, it criticizes someone or something, using wit and clever wording—and sometimes makes outrageous assertions orRead More18Th Century Satire: A Modest Proposal Essay1397 Words   |  6 Pagesnew form of literature became very popular, satire. Satire, according to www.dictionary.com, is the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice or folly. Commonly, satire is used to give one’s opinio ns or commentary about public issues. As a writer it is important to be well educated on current events, politics and the interests of the general public. Writers, such a Jonathan Swift, have commonly used satire to discuss important issues about the folliesRead More Contrast Between Satire in The Rape Of The Lock and A Modest Proposal1679 Words   |  7 PagesContrast Between Satire in The Rape Of The Lock and A Modest Proposal   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Although Alexander Popes, The Rape Of The Lock and Jonathan Swifts A Modest Proposal are both witty satires, they differ on their style, intention, and mood. To begin, in The Rape Of The Lock, Alexander Pope uses Horation satire to invoke a light, whimsical, melancholy mood to illustrate the absurdity of fighting over the cutting of ones hair. In fact, Horation satire is defined by K. Lukes as a deviceRead MoreJuvenelian Satire in A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift Essay1052 Words   |  5 Pagescan fall upon deaf ears and change can be slow or non-existent. However, Jonathan Swift in his pamphlet A Modest Proposal, uses clever, targeted, and ironic criticism to bring the social state of Ireland to the attention of indolent aristocrats. He accomplishes such criticism through satire, specifically Juvenalian satire. Swift’s A Modest Proposal stands as an example of the type of satire that plays upon the audience’s emotion by creating anger concerning the indifference of the voice created.Read More Satire and the Deployment of Irony in A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift2769 Words   |  12 PagesSatire and the Deployment of Irony in A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: of taxing our absentees at 5s. a pound: of using neither clothes, nor household furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture: of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity, idleness, and gaming in our women: of introducing a vein of parsimony, prudence and temperance: ofRead More Satire, Humor, and Shock Value in Swifts A Modest Proposal Essay1021 Words   |  5 PagesSatire, Humor, and Shock Value in Swifts A Modest Proposal Swifts message to the English government in A Modest Proposal deals with the disgusting state of the English-Irish common people. Swift, as the narrator expresses pity for the poor and oppressed, while maintaining his social status far above them. The poor and oppressed that he refers to are Catholics, peasants, and the poor homeless men, women, and children of the kingdom. This is what Swift is trying to make the