Rhetorical Analysis Of Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal

Mendel 1

Mariya Mendel

Ms. Winslow

AP English Language and Composition

4 April 2014

A Modest Proposal

In the seventeenth century, Ireland faced troubles with famine and economic stalemate. Rather than accept this problem Jonathan Swift offers A Modest Proposal that is a contradiction in itself. Discussing the social problems in society without actually offering a solution but of bringing awareness to it, Swift sarcastically proposes the idea of cannibalism. He appeals to the resolve the issue by contradicting the inherent sarcasm and witty metaphors to demonstrate an inane idea. Incorporating logos with extensive use of sophisticated diction and statistical analysis for an impossible solution heightens the absurdity. Nevertheless, this preposterous preposition helps raise awareness of the economic and social problems of Ireland.

Swift develops a somber tone throughout the essay that contrasts with a cheery or delightful mood. The introduction of his proposal opens with a somber tone of poverty and disparity that is demonstrated by incorporating language such as “melancholy object” and “helpless infants.” He further demonstrates the poverty and issues by alluding to Barbados, a place where the Irish immigrated due to poverty. The citizens are illustrated to live in famine as stated in “wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives.” This example illustrates the situation of the people in the country and raises awareness of the despicable situation with such blunt diction. Ironically, the poverty got worse as Swift describes it as a “deplorable state of affairs.” In addition, irony created in this juxtaposition in describing children as a “prodigious number” which elevates their status and leads the tone to be one of del...

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...authority and Swift’s further discussion on cooked children incorporates a sarcastic, witty mood. Statements such as “I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife as we do roasting pigs” dehumanize people to the point of humor while underlining the barbarism as advocated by Swift’s friend.

In his satirical attack on the famine in Ireland, Jonathan Swift introduces and idea that is not so much A Modest Proposal as it is a commentary on the corruption of society. By using a sarcastic tone, sophisticated diction, and irony, he highlights the problems that face Irish society. In his devising a deplorable idea, he shows deceitful meaning in how he brings up topics. Ultimately, he attempts to indicate the issues by using exaggerations and dehumanization of people to prove his point push active interest about the situation in Ireland.