Jonathan Swift, an 18th century satirist and essayist, wrote A Modest Proposal as a satirical way to show people that they have not developed any great ideas to solve social issues such as abortion, overpopulation, and poverty. Throughout his essay, Swift is able to convey his point through sarcastic suggestion of the cannibalism of children as the answer to the social and economic issues that Ireland faces, while still providing facts about the matters at hand. In the beginning of his essay, it is unclear to the readers whether or not his proposal is literal. However, as the essay progresses, we are able to differentiate when Swift is being sardonic and ironic towards his listeners.
Swift begins his essay by addressing the issue of families in poverty with a large amount of children to care and provide for. He opens by …show more content…
“Ethos is an appeal to ethics, and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.” An example of this would be when Swift mentions a friend from London who has assured him that “a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food” (Paragraph 9, Line 3). “Pathos is an appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.” Swift uses pathos several times throughout his essay. An example of pathos would be when he mentions, "their helpless infants; who, as they grow up, either turn into thieves for want of work; or leave their dear Native Country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes" (Paragraph 1, Line 8). “Logos is an appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.” Swift uses logos by giving the statistics to selling children and how it would benefit the Irish economy. By giving these statistics, it shows the amount of thought and time he has put into his proposal to better
Swift begins his essay by addressing the issue of families in poverty with a large amount of children to care and provide for. He opens by …show more content…
“Ethos is an appeal to ethics, and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.” An example of this would be when Swift mentions a friend from London who has assured him that “a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food” (Paragraph 9, Line 3). “Pathos is an appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.” Swift uses pathos several times throughout his essay. An example of pathos would be when he mentions, "their helpless infants; who, as they grow up, either turn into thieves for want of work; or leave their dear Native Country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes" (Paragraph 1, Line 8). “Logos is an appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.” Swift uses logos by giving the statistics to selling children and how it would benefit the Irish economy. By giving these statistics, it shows the amount of thought and time he has put into his proposal to better