A modest proposal Essay Example for Free

A modest proposal Essay Swift also incorporates the use of gruesome details delivered in a pleasant voice, an example of this is, the skin of which, Artificially dressed, will make admirable Gloves for Ladies. This challenges the readers beliefs between right and wrong, and makes him think of how horrible and cruel they are to the Catholics. It does this because the idea of making anything with parts of a human is horrible, and to make something associated with the rich, Gloves for Ladies makes it even more horrible that they dont want to relate to the narrator, who is someone like them. We also see this when he says, particularly Weddings and Christenings. Here, the narrator suggests eating babies at Christenings, which is sickening and goes against any human feelings. He uses this to makes the reader aware that this problem is getting out of hand, and makes the reader realise that is something should be done soon or the problem will escalate to something as sickening as eating babies. This technique desensitises and spoils the readers expectations, and the fact that they are shocked makes them question the fact that they have associated with the narrator in the first place. Another technique Swift uses is entirely unacceptable suggestions made as if acceptable. An example of this is, A Child well Nursed is at a year Old a most delicious, nourishing and wholesome Food. This unexpected exaggeration of detail stuns the reader and makes him think how sick and twisted the narrator is. He then realises that the narrator is Protestant, and how Swift is mocking them and therefore becomes aware of how badly the Catholics are being treated. Another example of this is when he says, I rather recommend buying the Children alive, and dressing them hot from the Knife, as we do roasting. This technique changes the perceptions of the reader because it gives them a twisted image of something that would normally sound appetizing (when roasting a meat), and who up to this point has identified with the narrator, and encourages the reader to think of alternatives to solve the problem, that are moral and justified. Swift also includes some truth, to show how the Catholics are living and being treated. An example of this is when he says, they are every Day dying, and rotting, by cold, and famine, and filth, and vermin. This use of truth creates feelings for the Catholics and makes the reader understand their position. These subtle digs at the affluent Protestants tell the reader they are to blame, this is shown when he says, for Landlords, who as they have already devoured most of the Parents. This shows the mistreatment of the Catholics because they make them seem like murderers, something a high-class person would hate, and makes the reader realise of this and object to the idea. A Modest Proposal has been written with two levels of meaning. The first is that Swift adopts a persuading false act, which is shown through the narrator, but reveals true anger and disgust at the indifferent attitude of landowners the rich and religious Protestants and the intolerance of his time. Swifts use of satirical techniques shows us what was happening at his time through a very different approach. He uses this approach to surprise and mock the readers, which is much more effective, because it makes the readers realise by comparing their ideas to horrible ones that they are in the wrong. This also makes the reader listen and realise better than just a pamphlet saying how bad the Protestants are. The use of satire helps people understand better, through a more enjoyable way and addresses the problem in a more empathetic way. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Jonathan Swift section.