Introduction: Jonathan Swift was an essayist, political pamphleteer, but certainly the author of "A Modest Proposal," a youthful satirical essay often defined as a masterpiece of irony. The full title is “A modest proposal to prevent the children of the poor in Ireland from becoming a burden on their parents or on the country; and for making them beneficial to the public. It was written and published anonymously in 1729 at the time of the Enlightenment by Swift, who used different types of rhetorical devices in his essay to compare the issues of Ireland. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Jonathan Swift used satire as the tone for his essay to highlight poverty and overpopulation in Ireland in the 1700s. Topic sentence: Swift wanted to draw attention to Ireland's problems by being sarcastic and descriptive towards the children. Evidence and quotes: "I have been assured by a very knowledgeable American of my acquaintance in London, that a young, healthy child, well nursed, is, at the age of one year, a delicious, nourishing, wholesome food..." . Topic Sentence: Swift provides an unusual insight, referring to the child as a healthy meal. Swift mentions how a one year old would have been a healthy meal for the poverty of the time. Comment: Who would joke about a baby's meal being a healthy one? Only Swift would have done this, this shows how times were very difficult and no one was doing anything to solve them. Until Swift decided to write her proposal for people to see and open their eyes to reality. One of Swift's friends quotes: "confirms Swift's position as a 'copycat man,' ambivalently frustrated and invested in the colonial power structure that determines much of his life." In other words, he is writing "an escape from unprofitable political activity in pure irony" or who might "escape from" generally associated with his satire. Swift wrote this essay so she could escape society for a second and let the truth out satirically without consequences. Context: During this time Ireland was experiencing economic crisis and oppression. Many women were abandoned by their husbands because it was illegal if you wanted a divorce. Letting men abandon their wives and children without consequences. This was the case for many families. It was very difficult because there were no rights for women. Many would fall into prostitution, begging, abuse, etc. This is why Jonathan Swift claims mothers as nurturers. Use a term that concerns animals. “It is true that a baby who has just emerged from his mother can be nourished by her milk for a calendar year with little other nourishment…”. Thematic sentence: Swift uses a figure of speech called metaphor, a sort of rhetorical device, referring to the child's mother as a mother, as if she were an animal who supports children with her milk. It is also an example of satire, a very harsh way of comparing a woman to a female animal. Due to the fact that women have no rights in Ireland. Thematic sentence: the logo is also present in Swift's proposal. He states that there is an overpopulation of children in Ireland and that the Irish people should make good use of them by selling and eating them. In that case, families will start to climb out of poverty by selling their children to the rich to eat. It will also be efficient for everyone." Fourthly, the steady breeder, in addition to earning straight shillings a year from the sale of his offspring, will free himself from the burden of maintaining them after the first year.” Swift made a list of how her proposal will do great things,.
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