Sunday 22 February 2015

Which targets does Swift ironically identify in paragraphs 21 and 22 of "A Modest Proposal"? By using such a method, what is Swift satirizing?

In these paragraphs of "A Modest Proposal," author and satirist Jonathan Swift lists his reasons for his proposal. In each paragraph, a new benefit is presented, and often each paragraph identifies a group of people who could benefit from eating the children of Ireland.  


In paragraph 21, Jonathan Swift immediately identifies Papists as numerous beings "with whom we are yearly over-run." As Jonathan Swift was a member of the Anglican Church, and Papists were...

In these paragraphs of "A Modest Proposal," author and satirist Jonathan Swift lists his reasons for his proposal. In each paragraph, a new benefit is presented, and often each paragraph identifies a group of people who could benefit from eating the children of Ireland.  


In paragraph 21, Jonathan Swift immediately identifies Papists as numerous beings "with whom we are yearly over-run." As Jonathan Swift was a member of the Anglican Church, and Papists were Roman Catholic, he was distinctly against Catholic influence in Ireland. Rhetorically Swift identifies Papists as the "principal breeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies." As satire pokes fun at the truth, Swift's witty comments about Papists most likely reflect his sincerely negative feelings towards them. 


In paragraph 22, Swift identifies Tenants and Landlords. He says that Tenants will have children to sell to pay the rent, having already had their "corn and cattle seized" most likely by their landlords. Here Swift satirises the corrupt system of land-ownership in Ireland, asserting that it is unfair to tenants who are left with nothing while Landlords are wealthy beyond necessity. Swift's criticisms in these paragraphs are both religious and political, and he points to a need for change in both these areas. 

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