Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: How does Swift want the reader to view his speaker? That is, how would Swift want his reader to describe the persona he adopts?
At what point in the essay did you recognize that Swift’s proposal is meant to be satiric? Do you think a modern audience would get the joke faster than Swift’s contemporaries did?
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: At what point in the essay did you recognize that Swift’s proposal is meant to be satiric? Do you think a modern audience would get the joke faster than Swift’s contemporaries did?
Note Swift’s diction in the first seven paragraphs. How does it show quantification and dehumanization? Explain the purpose of Swift’s specific word choices.
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Note Swift’s diction in the first seven paragraphs. How does it show quantification and dehumanization? Explain the purpose of Swift’s specific word choices.
At the beginning of the essay, Swift explains the anticipated results before revealing the actual proposal. Explain the rhetorical purpose of such a strategy.
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: At the beginning of the essay, Swift explains the anticipated results before revealing the actual proposal. Explain the rhetorical purpose of such a strategy.
In paragraph 9, why doesn’t Swift end the sentence after the word food? Explain the purpose and effect of the modifiers included there.
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: In paragraph 9, why doesn’t Swift end the sentence after the word food? Explain the purpose and effect of the modifiers included there.
Identify examples of appeals to values such as thrift and patriotism. Explain the rhetorical strategy behind each example.
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Identify examples of appeals to values such as thrift and patriotism. Explain the rhetorical strategy behind each example.
Consider the additional proposal that Swift mentions in paragraph 17. Explain the rhetorical strategy at work in that paragraph.
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Consider the additional proposal that Swift mentions in paragraph 17. Explain the rhetorical strategy at work in that paragraph.
Which targets does Swift ironically identify in paragraphs 21 and 22? Note the rhetorical progression of paragraphs 21–26. By using such a method, what is Swift satirizing?
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Which targets does Swift ironically identify in paragraphs 21 and 22? Note the rhetorical progression of paragraphs 21–26. By using such a method, what is Swift satirizing?
What are the assumptions behind each of Swift’s claims in paragraphs 21–26? Explain them.
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: What are the assumptions behind each of Swift’s claims in paragraphs 21–26? Explain them.
Read carefully paragraphs 29–31. What are the “expedients” that Swift discusses there? How does irony serve his rhetorical purpose in this section?
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Read carefully paragraphs 29–31. What are the “expedients” that Swift discusses there? How does irony serve his rhetorical purpose in this section?
To what do the “vain, idle, visionary thoughts” (para. 31) refer? What is Swift’s tone here?
Chapter 7 - A Modest Proposal - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: To what do the “vain, idle, visionary thoughts” (para. 31) refer? What is Swift’s tone here?
How does the final paragraph of the essay contribute to Swift’s rhetorical purpose?