In 1729, Jonathan Swift wrote, “A Modest Proposal”, a satirical proposition, in response to the more modest but equally ridiculous proposals that had previously been sincerely proposed by others. “A Modest Proposal” was meant to criticize the Irish people, mainly the upper class, for their logical but callous approach to the poor. While poverty appears to be the obvious reason for his motivations, it seems he is also satirizing the current attitudes and viewpoints of the wealthy Irish citizens. He is able to use a combination of a reason-based approach and set a tone of humor and slight disgust to appeal to the patriots, the religious, the rich, the commoners, and the beggars of Ireland. Swift keeps the tone of the paper formal and logical,
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Swift’s diction is particularly important for setting and invoking an emotional stage and forming his credibility with the audience, giving him the credibility he needs in his logical arguments. Swift cleverly uses pathos, ethos, and logos to successfully persuade his audience of their absurdity in their approach to dealing with the Irish commoners and poor. For Swift, careful diction and tone allow him to successfully use pathos in persuading his audience. Swift uses three distinct tones to create a neutral persona while making himself into a patriotic, Irish-loving narrator; someone that is relatable and could be trusted. The first sentence of “A Modest Proposal” sets all three tones: despairing and sympathetic, annoyed and condescending, and patriotic. He begins the passage with a melancholy image, setting the tone for an impoverished town, …show more content…
Throughout the passage, Swift uses calculations he made to not only prove his credibility as a narrator but the credibility of the proposal. In one particular section, Swift lists the six advantages to his proposal. In this list, Swift is able to continue his appeal to every citizen of Ireland. He criticizes the papists, offers money to the poor, shows the economic gain, the relief of burdens on poor families, the refinement of the meat in recipes for the wealthy, and a social improvement for the commoners and poor. The proposal of eating infants seems less absurd, and in fact, it would greatly help improve Ireland. After all, if Swift was not quite informed of the subject and of other proposals and willing to consider all other proposals if his proposal was not sound and also the best option for Ireland, then he would have no reason to introduce and share it. “A Modest Proposal” was Jonathan Swift’s satirical proposition on how Ireland should solve its economical and hunger problems. Swift was able to convince the readers of his pamphlet that while it may seem absurd, the idea of consuming infants could truly be advantageous for Ireland. Through his tone, diction, and careful word choice, Swift was able
Swift’s diction is particularly important for setting and invoking an emotional stage and forming his credibility with the audience, giving him the credibility he needs in his logical arguments. Swift cleverly uses pathos, ethos, and logos to successfully persuade his audience of their absurdity in their approach to dealing with the Irish commoners and poor. For Swift, careful diction and tone allow him to successfully use pathos in persuading his audience. Swift uses three distinct tones to create a neutral persona while making himself into a patriotic, Irish-loving narrator; someone that is relatable and could be trusted. The first sentence of “A Modest Proposal” sets all three tones: despairing and sympathetic, annoyed and condescending, and patriotic. He begins the passage with a melancholy image, setting the tone for an impoverished town, …show more content…
Throughout the passage, Swift uses calculations he made to not only prove his credibility as a narrator but the credibility of the proposal. In one particular section, Swift lists the six advantages to his proposal. In this list, Swift is able to continue his appeal to every citizen of Ireland. He criticizes the papists, offers money to the poor, shows the economic gain, the relief of burdens on poor families, the refinement of the meat in recipes for the wealthy, and a social improvement for the commoners and poor. The proposal of eating infants seems less absurd, and in fact, it would greatly help improve Ireland. After all, if Swift was not quite informed of the subject and of other proposals and willing to consider all other proposals if his proposal was not sound and also the best option for Ireland, then he would have no reason to introduce and share it. “A Modest Proposal” was Jonathan Swift’s satirical proposition on how Ireland should solve its economical and hunger problems. Swift was able to convince the readers of his pamphlet that while it may seem absurd, the idea of consuming infants could truly be advantageous for Ireland. Through his tone, diction, and careful word choice, Swift was able