The Modest Proposal

What two aspects of Swift's writing clearly indicate Swift's purpose?

• his attention to detail and honesty

• his imagery and statistics

• his irony and understatement

• his grammar and organization

How does satire attempt to improve individuals or society?

• By modeling correct thoughts and behaviors

• By praising achievements and honors

• By ridiculing flaws and follies

• By explicitly explaining the difference between right and wrong

Which of these statements from “A Modest Proposal” is an example of sacrasm?

• The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half . . .

• The question therefore is, how this number shall be reared, and provided for. . . .

• I can think of no one objection . . . against this proposal, unless it should be urged that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom.

• These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in strolling, to beg sustenance for their helpless infants. . . .

What large scale societal problem does Swift plan to resolve?

• Spreading religion to Ireland

• Uplifting the English poor

• Mistreatment of Irish poor

• Overpopulation of England

Which term best describes this statement from “A Modest Proposal”? (. . . the poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own . . . and help to pay their landlord’s rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown.)

• Incongruity

• Exaggeration

• Humor

• Irony

What is Swift’s main purpose in his essay “A Modest Proposal”?

• He wants to force the government to help the poor of Ireland.

• He wants people to consider his proposal as a solution to poverty.

• He wants to encourage the poor to improve their living conditions.

• He wants to demonstrate his skill in the new form of satire.

Why does Swift use terms such as breeders, males, and females when referring to the poor of Ireland in “A Modest Proposal”?

• to show that he is a scientist

• to imply that they are considered less than human

• to be as exact as possible

• to show respect for them

One main purpose of "A Modest Proposal" is to satirize...

• mistreatment of the poor in Ireland

• Irish bankers

• Tenants who don't pay rent

• love and divorce

What is Swift's claim or thesis?

• The English need to be treated better or they will start to eat children.

• The Irish need to handle their money better or they will have to sell children.

• The English should sell their children into Irish slavery to help their economy.

• The Irish should eat and sell their babies as a delicacy.

Which group does Swift's proposal say will decrease in population? (HINT: one of the advantages)

• Protestants

• The English

• Catholics

• White People