Questions for Discussion

  1. What were the social conditions in Ireland that occasioned the writing of Jonathan Swift’s essay? Does the essay indicate what Swift considers to be the causes of these conditions? Does the government—the state—have a responsibility for the condition of its poor? Does Swift target anybody in particular with his satire? How can you tell?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions for Discussion: What were the social conditions in Ireland that occasioned the writing of Jonathan Swift’s essay? Does the essay indicate what Swift considers to be the causes of these conditions? Does the government—the state—have a responsibility for the condition of its poor? Does Swift target anybody in particular with his satire? How can you tell?
  2. Would a modern audience be more or less offended by Swift’s proposal? Explain your reasoning.

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions for Discussion: Would a modern audience be more or less offended by Swift’s proposal? Explain your reasoning.
  3. Of the six advantages Swift enumerates (paras. 21–26), which one might be considered the most sardonic? Explain.

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions for Discussion: Of the six advantages Swift enumerates (paras. 21–26), which one might be considered the most sardonic? Explain.
  4. Explain how Swift uses the essay to satirize both his subject and the vehicle he employs—that is, a political proposal itself.

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions for Discussion: Explain how Swift uses the essay to satirize both his subject and the vehicle he employs—that is, a political proposal itself.
  5. What is Swift’s overall purpose? Why did he choose such a provocative approach?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions for Discussion: What is Swift’s overall purpose? Why did he choose such a provocative approach?
  6. The modern reader may notice the misogyny in Swift’s essay. Does it affect your opinion of the essay? Does it make Swift’s criticism of society less powerful?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions for Discussion: The modern reader may notice the misogyny in Swift’s essay. Does it affect your opinion of the essay? Does it make Swift’s criticism of society less powerful?
  7. Several eighteenth-century writers made allusions to “A Modest Proposal” in the titles of their satiric essays. For example, Philip Skelton made his irony obvious by calling an essay “Some Proposals for the Revival of Christianity.” Why do you think Swift’s title was considered such a useful satiric tool?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions for Discussion: Several eighteenth-century writers made allusions to “A Modest Proposal” in the titles of their satiric essays. For example, Philip Skelton made his irony obvious by calling an essay “Some Proposals for the Revival of Christianity.” Why do you think Swift’s title was considered such a useful satiric tool?
  8. By publishing such an outrageous text, what might Swift have hoped to bring about among the people of Ireland?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions for Discussion: By publishing such an outrageous text, what might Swift have hoped to bring about among the people of Ireland?