Analysis on a Modest Proposal
English Commentary – Digression
“ A modest proposal” by Jonathan Swift is a rhetoric piece that satirizes the dismal political, social and economic conditions in 18th century Ireland. As a solution, the preposterous proposal suggests that the Irish eat their own babies; as it is logically viable, and economically profitable: a condition adhering to the rational mentality of the age of reason. Swift develops his argument on two levels: A seemingly intellectual persona, caricaturized on a stereotypical upper class Englishman who promotes cannibalism through the use of subtle euphemisms. And the other, as himself, cleverly veiled in the caustic undertones of the pamphlet who is appalled at the plight of the Irish. Swift uses this dual personality to reveal the falseness of the persona’s credibility, and eventually the proposal suggested by him.
At the time, pamphlets were a popular way to broadcast and persuade people of political notions and ideas, however limited only to the intellectuals in society. Swift uses the conventional classical form of rhetoric (based on Juvenal and Horace’s works), dividing his essay periodically into the exordium, narration, digression, proof, refutation and peroration. In this essay, the digression will be focused on exclusively (inclusive of paragraphs 17-19)
Swift’s intent behind using the classic rhetoric form is threefold. It complements the persona’s characterization as a pedigreed, “conventional” intellectual; quite unlike the creative visionary he sees himself to be. Instead through this rigid structure, he represents the same prejudiced mindset of all the educated generations, who have provided no solution to the overwhelming problems in Ireland. Hence, Swift is lampooning the intellectuals in society who have published similar mindless pamphlets. It also reveals his own eloquent education; eventually being an appeal to other educated individuals in society, like him to arouse to action.
One of the key themes in this extract
“ A modest proposal” by Jonathan Swift is a rhetoric piece that satirizes the dismal political, social and economic conditions in 18th century Ireland. As a solution, the preposterous proposal suggests that the Irish eat their own babies; as it is logically viable, and economically profitable: a condition adhering to the rational mentality of the age of reason. Swift develops his argument on two levels: A seemingly intellectual persona, caricaturized on a stereotypical upper class Englishman who promotes cannibalism through the use of subtle euphemisms. And the other, as himself, cleverly veiled in the caustic undertones of the pamphlet who is appalled at the plight of the Irish. Swift uses this dual personality to reveal the falseness of the persona’s credibility, and eventually the proposal suggested by him.
At the time, pamphlets were a popular way to broadcast and persuade people of political notions and ideas, however limited only to the intellectuals in society. Swift uses the conventional classical form of rhetoric (based on Juvenal and Horace’s works), dividing his essay periodically into the exordium, narration, digression, proof, refutation and peroration. In this essay, the digression will be focused on exclusively (inclusive of paragraphs 17-19)
Swift’s intent behind using the classic rhetoric form is threefold. It complements the persona’s characterization as a pedigreed, “conventional” intellectual; quite unlike the creative visionary he sees himself to be. Instead through this rigid structure, he represents the same prejudiced mindset of all the educated generations, who have provided no solution to the overwhelming problems in Ireland. Hence, Swift is lampooning the intellectuals in society who have published similar mindless pamphlets. It also reveals his own eloquent education; eventually being an appeal to other educated individuals in society, like him to arouse to action.
One of the key themes in this extract