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Rhetorical Devices Used In A Modest Proposal

Rhetorical Devices Used In A Modest Proposal

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“A Modest Proposal” is a satirical essay written by satirist Jonathan Swift in 1729. The purpose of his essay is to bring attention to serious social problems in eighteenth century Ireland, and he does so by proposing a shocking solution to the readers of his essay. However, in order to numb the shock of his proposition he gradually sets up the reader for his controversial ideas in the first six paragraphs. Swift uses several rhetorical strategies such as use of invective language, building anticipation, and appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos at the beginning of his essay to prepare the audience for what lies ahead.
Swift starts off by telling his audience that couples who cannot afford the several children they are having are a burden to

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Swift's motivation in composing this successful satirical essay is to point out exploitation caused on Irish Catholics by English Protestants. Swift conveys this purpose regardless of the audience’s understanding of the history of the text. A Modest Proposal proposes that poverty in Ireland can only be prevented by killing children and serving their meat as a delicacy to the nobility of Ireland. Swift expresses this fact when he states, “Those who are more thrifty may flay the carcass, the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies and summer boots for fine gentleman” (Swift 8). Swift intentionally exaggerates by stating such an extreme, to encourage citizens of society to find a prudent way of reducing the levels of poverty in Ireland.…
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He states that not only will the children serve the public as food, but, this will prevent voluntary abortions, and also account for money that the parents will get when they sell their children. Swift continues talks about the number of children born to poor parents could be decrease with these methods. But I disagree, I believe there a plenty of methods that can solve this crisis that won’t involve any killing and consuming these unfortunate children. Coming from a former experience with working with kids, I encounter kids that come from tough backgrounds and they just want someone that will care for them or…
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