Jonathon Swift: A modest proposal, 1729 Flashcards
context
satirical essay which was published as a pamphlet in 1729.
‘beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four or six children’
dehumanising imagery.
suggests that all women have children and multiple of them.
‘turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country.’
poverty cycle.
he is bringing light to the terrible living conditions that the poor are living in whilst being satirical.
second paragraph structure
one long sentence in the same way as an MP would have spoken in Parliament. (ranting)
‘fair, cheap and easy.’
threes-emphasis
‘his statue set up for a preserver of the nation.’
the hypocrisy of the rulers-statue which is expensive to make vs the poverty. -suggests that a statue (money) is the only reason why the rich would solve poverty. (selfishness)
‘my intention’
refers to his persona within the essay due to the satirical nature. also political speak.
‘as to my own part’
sets up his credibility
‘be supported by her milk.’
‘breeders’
‘twenty thousand may be reserved for breed.’
ETHOS
biological semantic to sound informed.
animalistic imagery. (woman is like a cow)d
‘that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children.’
harsh/violent
shifts the whole essay to a darker tone.
tone-melodramatic, insincerity of politicians.
‘a principle gentleman in the country of Cavan.’
anecdote
‘I shall now humbly propose my ow thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection.’
the whole paragraph is one sentence.
presumptuous adverb ‘humbly’ suggests that the author is poking fun at the arrogance of politicians.
‘delicious, nourishing and wholesome food.’
distressing imagery of eating a baby.
list of three.
links the extent of the proposal.
‘very good boiled on the fourth day.’
deadpan/satirical
preposterous imagery to call out the politicians doing nothing about poverty.
‘they have already devoured most of the parents.’
sarcasm.
symbolic and literal.
exploitation of the poor.
