A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

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A Modest Proposalby Jonathan Swift

• Original/long title A Modest Proposal for
  preventing the children of poor people in
  Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or
  country, and for making them beneficial to the
  publick." 

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Historical background

• Ireland was under the control of England for
  close to 500 years and was denied union with
  England when Scotland received it in 1707.
• As a result, Ireland continued to suffer under
  trade restrictions and lack of resources.
• This situation led Swift to write this satirical
  essay.

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Pamphlets

• During this time, many writers wrote and
  published pamphlets with proposals to solve the
  economic problems in Ireland.
• Swifts essay parodied the style and method of
  these others.
• His purpose to capture the audience whose
  indifference he believed was to blame for the
  situation and make them think of solutions.

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Overall analysis

• Swift satirically expresses his anger towards
  Irelands colonial rule under England, as well as
  the hypocrisy of the wealthy.
• He feels that Ireland is suppressed by English
  rule and ambivalent in their actions against
  their rule.
• It bothers him that Irish politicians, as well as
  the masses of poor, fail to mobilize on their own
  behalf.

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Paragraphs 1-7 Analysis
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