Question

Can someone assist me?

Answer 1

Read the following excerpt from Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal":
I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle, or swine; and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore, one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.

I have reckoned upon a medium that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nursed, encreaseth to 28 pounds.

I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.

How does the author's word choice in this excerpt imply a message other than the one explicitly stated? Analyze specific phrases within the excerpt and explain how they help the writing to function as satire. Support your answer with evidence from this excerpt and from your general knowledge of "A Modest Proposal."

Answer 2

@Elsa213

Answer 3

some suggestions/observations to help you get started:

- phrases such as "modest proposal" and "humbly offer for consideration" as if what he is suggesting is reasonable/normal, compared to the actual absurdity of what he is saying
- "very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children." suggests his hidden contempt for the wealthy of England