A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

LITERARY FOCUS: VERBAL IRONY You use verbal irony whenever you say one thing but mean something completely different. When you speak, your tone of voice signals listeners that you don’t really mean what you are saying. Writers don’t have the option of using a sarcastic tone of voice to convey irony. Instead, they might make so many shocking or unbelievable statements that the reader can’t possibly miss the point. Swift’s essay is a classic example of verbal irony taken to the extreme.

Isn’t It Ironic? Look at the following examples of verbal irony. Then, create your own example in the space provided.

Situation Verbal Irony (What You Say)

You trip and fall in front of a large “Aren’t I the picture of grace?” group of people, your books and you ask as you struggle to your papers flying everywhere. feet.

You have a bad case of the flu. A You respond, “Never felt better!” friend visits and asks, “How are you?”

READING SKILLS: RECOGNIZING PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES “A Modest Proposal” is a type of persuasive writing called satire. Through satire, writers ridicule people or institutions in order to effect change. “A Modest Proposal” was written in 1729 to shock English society into an awareness of England’s unjust policies toward the Irish. In it, Swift uses the

types of persuasive techniques listed below to convince the reader that Literary Skills England’s treatment of the Irish is heartless and immoral. Understand verbal irony. • Logical appeals: the use of facts or statistics to support a position. Reading Skills Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reserved. • Emotional appeals: the use of words that stir up strong feelings. Recognize persuasive • Ethical appeals: the use of details that will convince readers that the techniques writer is fair and trustworthy. (logical, emotional, and ethical appeals). Use the Skill As you read the selection, highlight and identify the types of persuasive appeals used by Swift. Refer to the list above as a guide. A Modest Proposal 125 126 food ormoneytosupportlife. sustenance paraphrase thefirstsentence. “sad.” Usingthatknowledge, Melancholy, Part 1 (sus√t¥·n¥ns) in line1,means F olcin4 TheRestoration and the EighteenthCentury Collection 4: RPEETN H HLRNO ORPOL IN PEOPLE POOR OF CHILDREN THE PREVENTING OR Swift’s direct,logicalstyleandtheoutrageousproposalhedescribes. shocking solutiontotheproblem.Watch forthesharpcontrastbetween was spentinIrelandonlocallyproducedgoods. the moneycollectedbylandlordswassenttoEngland;verylittle lords. Manychildrenandadultswereforcedtobegorstarve.Mostof Farmers hadtroublepayingtherentsdemandedbytheirEnglishland- In thelate1720s,Irelandsuffered fromseveralyearsofpoorharvests. BACKGROUND n.: Here, Swiftpretendstobeaneconomicplannerwhosuggestsa OTERPARENTS THEIR TO 10 , Pretender .sell.Barbadoes: 5. thePretender: 4. want 3. importuning.alms: 2. thisgreat town: 1. It town, tuning every passengerforanalms. tuning every and impor- allinrags, or sixchildren, four, followed by three, ro mlyaltertm nsrlig to beg employ theirtimeinstrolling, all are forced to being ableto work fortheirhonestlivelihood, want grow asthey thieves upeitherturn for who, helpless infants, N O AIGTE EEIILT H PUBLIC THE TO BENEFICIAL THEM MAKING FOR AND Jonathan Swift

d,adcbndos rwe ihbgaso thefemalesex, crowded beggarsof with andcabindoors, ads, samlnhl bett hs,whowalkthrough thisgreat is amelancholy objectto those, servants. kept tryingtogaintheEnglish throne. Catholic king,thedeposedJames II(1633–1701);JamesEdward 3 1 fwr,or leave theirdearnative forthe to fight country work, of rtae ntecuty hnte e h tet,the seethestreets, they when or travel inthecountry, n.: 4 nSan orsellthemselves to theBarbadoes. in Spain, lack; need. James Edward(1688–1766), son ofEngland’s last Dublin. I go totheWest Indiesandworkasindentured EADFO EN BURDEN A BEING FROM RELAND asking passersbyforahandout. 2 hs ohr,instead of These mothers, sustenance for their 5

mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present The word prodigious deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; (pr£·dij√¥s), in line 11, means “an enormous quantity.” and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap, and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the commonwealth would deserve so well of the public, as Pause at line 18. What does to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation. Swift say is the problem But my intention is very far from being confined to provide facing the nation? 20 only for the children of professed beggars; it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age, who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our charity in the streets. As to my own part, having turned my thoughts, for many years, upon this important subject, and maturely weighed the several schemes of other projectors,6 I have always found them

grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true a child, just The word dam (line 28) dropped from its dam,7 may be supported by her milk, for a means “female parent” and is usually used to refer solar year8 with little other nourishment, at most not above the to a domestic animal. What attitude toward poor 30 value of two shillings, which the mother may certainly get, or women does this word the value in scraps, by her lawful occupation of begging, and it choice suggest?

ved. is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them, in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment9 for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding and partly to the clothing of many thousands. There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too 40 frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt,10

Pause at line 36. At what age

Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser can children be made useful 6. projectors n. pl.: speculators; schemers. to society? Circle that infor- 7. dam n.: mother (ordinarily used only of animals). mation. Underline the way 8. solar year: from the first day of spring in one year to the last day in which they can be of use. of winter in the next. 9. raiment (r†√m¥nt) n.: clothing. 10. doubt v.: suspect.

A Modest Proposal 127 more to avoid the expense, than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast. 11 Re-read lines 37–42. Circle The number of souls in Ireland being usually reckoned one the words in line 42 that million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about two suggest that poor people are not civilized. By using hundred thousand couples whose wives are breeders, from which these words, which type of persuasive appeal is Swift number I subtract thirty thousand couples, who are able to making? maintain their own children, although I apprehend there cannot be so many under the present distresses of the kingdom, but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand 50 breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident, or disease within the year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born: The question therefore is, how this number shall be reared, and provided for, which, as

Re-read lines 43–53. What I have already said, under the present situation of affairs, is kind of language does Swift utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed, for we use here to describe births 12 and deaths of the poor? How can neither employ them in handicraft, or agriculture; we does this language help him neither build houses (I mean in the country) nor cultivate land: make his point? They can very seldom pick up a livelihood by stealing until they 60 arrive at six years old, except where they are of towardly parts,13 although, I confess they learn the rudiments much earlier,

during which time, they can however be properly looked upon ved. only as probationers,14 as I have been informed by a principal gentleman in the county of Cavan,15 who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two instances under the age of six, even in a part of the kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that art.16 I am assured by our merchants, that a boy or girl, before twelve years old, is no saleable commodity, and even when they 70 come to this age, they will not yield above three pounds, or three pounds and half a crown at most on the exchange, which cannot Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser 11. souls n. pl.: people. 12. handicraft n.: manufacturing. 13. of towardly parts: exceptionally advanced or mature for their age. 14. probationers n. pl.: apprentices. 15. Cavan: inland county in Ireland that is remote from Dublin. 16. that art: stealing.

128 Part 1 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century turn to account17 either to the parents or the kingdom, the charge of nutriment and rags having been at least four times

that value. Re-read lines 77–81. Circle I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, the words Swift uses to describe a young, healthy which I hope will not be liable to the least objection. child. Based on these details, 18 what plan do you think he I have been assured by a very knowing American of my is about to propose to deal acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed with Ireland’s starving population? is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome 80 food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled, and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee,19 or ragout.20 I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one- fourth part to be males, which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle, or swine, and my reason is that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages; therefore one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may at a year 90 old be offered in sale to the persons of quality, and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, ved. and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned The speaker provides details with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth in support of his outrageous day, especially in winter. plan (lines 93–97). Underline those details. I have reckoned upon a medium, that a child just born will weigh twelve pounds, and in a solar year if tolerably nursed 100 increaseth to twenty-eight pounds. Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser

17. turn to account: be profitable. 18. American: To Swift’s readers this label would suggest a barbaric person. 19. fricassee (frik≈¥·s≤√) n.: stew with a light gravy. 20. ragout (ra·gº√) n.: highly flavored stew.

A Modest Proposal 129 Re-read lines 101–103 and footnotes 21–22. Swift uses verbal irony to expose a major cause of the poverty in Ireland. Restate the sentence in your own words.

An Irish cabin. National Library of Ireland, Dublin.

I grant this food will be somewhat dear,21 and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured22 most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.

Infant’s flesh will be in season throughout the year, but ved. more plentiful in March, and a little before and after, for we are glutted (glut√id) v. used as adj.: overfilled. told by a grave author,23 an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolific diet, there are more children born in Roman Catholic countries about nine months after Lent, than at any other season, therefore reckoning a year after Lent, the markets Re-read lines 104–113. 24 According to the speaker, 110 will be more glutted than usual, because the number of popish what is a desirable effect of infants, is at least three to one in this kingdom, and therefore it having a glut of infants on the market? will have one other collateral advantage by lessening the number of papists among us. Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser

21. dear adj.: expensive. 22. devoured v.: made poor by charging high rents. 23. grave author: The French satirist François Rabelais. His work is comic, not “grave.” 24. popish adj.: derogatory term meaning “Roman Catholic.”

130 Part 1 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar’s child (in which list I reckon all cottagers,25 laborers, and four- 26 fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags In discussing the economics included, and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten of his proposal, what kind of appeal is the speaker making shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have said (lines 114–123)? will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath 120 only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him. Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord, and grow pop- ular among his tenants, the mother will have eight shillings net profit, and be fit for work until she produceth another child. Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times Re-read lines 128–132, in require) may flay27 the carcass; the skin of which, artificially28 which the speaker suggests dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer “dressing” children “hot from the knife.” What effect boots for fine gentlemen. do you think Swift expects 29 this word choice to have As to our city of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for on readers? this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and butchers we 130 may be assured will not be wanting, although I rather recom- mend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs. A very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing

ved. on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supplied by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve, so great a number of 140 both sexes in every country being now ready to starve, for want of work and service:30 and these to be disposed of by their parents Pause at line 142. What if alive, or otherwise by their nearest relations. But with due “refinement,” or modifica- tion, of the author’s plan is suggested in this paragraph? Underline the answer. Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser 25. cottagers n. pl.: tenant farmers. 26. per annum: Latin for “by the year”; annually. 27. flay v.: remove the skin of. 28. artificially adv.: with great artifice; skillfully. 29. shambles n.: slaughterhouse. 30. service n.: employment as servants.

A Modest Proposal 131 deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a patriot, I cannot be altogether in his sentiments, for as to the males, my deference (def√¥r·¥ns) n.: American acquaintance assured me from frequent experience, respect. that their flesh was generally tough and lean, like that of our scrupulous (skrº√py¥·l¥s) schoolboys, by continual exercise, and their taste disagreeable, adj.: extremely careful and and to fatten them would not answer the charge. Then as to the precise in deciding what is right or wrong. females, it would, I think with humble submission,31 be a loss to censure (sen√◊¥r) v.: condemn; 150 the public, because they soon would become breeders them- blame. selves: And besides it is not improbable that some scrupulous expedient (ek·sp≤√d≤·¥nt) n.: people might be apt to censure such a practice (although indeed convenient means to an end. very unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, how well soever intended. Pause at line 166, and read But in order to justify my friend, he confessed that this footnote 32. How trustworthy 32 a source is Sallmanaazor? expedient was put into his head by the famous Sallmanaazor, Why do you think Swift uses a native of the island Formosa, who came from thence to his ideas as an example? London, above twenty years ago, and in conversation told my 160 friend, that in his country when any young person happened to be put to death, the executioner sold the carcass to persons of quality, as a prime dainty, and that, in his time, the body of a plump girl of fifteen, who was crucified for an attempt to poison

the emperor, was sold to his imperial majesty’s prime minister ved. of state, and other great mandarins33 of the court, in joints34 from the gibbet,35 at four hundred crowns. Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young girls in this town, who, without one single groat to their fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a chair,36 and appear at the play-

31. with humble submission: with all due respect to those who hold such opinions. 32. Sallmanaazor: George Psalmanazar (c. 1679–1763), a Frenchman who pretended to be from Formosa, an old Portuguese name for Taiwan.

His writings were fraudulent. Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser 33. mandarins (man√d¥·rinz) n. pl.: officials. The term comes from mandarim, the Portuguese word describing high-ranking officials in the Chinese Empire, with which the Portuguese traded. 34. joints n. pl.: large cuts of meat, including the bone. 35. gibbet (jib√it) n.: gallows. 36. chair n.: sedan chair; a covered seat carried by servants.

132 Part 1 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century 170 house, and assemblies in foreign fineries, which they never will pay for; the kingdom would not be the worse.

Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern The word encumbrance (line about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, 176) means “a burden, a hindrance, or a weight.” or maimed, and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an encumbrance. But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, Re-read lines 172–185. Why because it is very well known, that they are every day dying, and isn’t the speaker concerned rotting, by cold, and famine, and filth, and vermin,37 as fast as about the great number of other poor people in Ireland? can be reasonably expected. And as to the younger laborers they Underline that information. 180 are now in almost as hopeful38 a condition. They cannot get work, and consequently pine away for want of nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common digressed (d¢·grest√) v.: labor, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the country wandered off the subject. and themselves are in a fair way39 of being soon delivered from the evils to come.

I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my The speaker lists the subject. I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made “advantages” of his proposal one by one. As you read lines are obvious and many as well as of the highest importance. 189–231, circle the word For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen or phrase at the beginning of each paragraph that 190 the number of papists, with whom we are yearly overrun, being reveals the text’s pattern of organization. Then, under- ved. the principal breeders of the nation, as well as our most danger- line the “benefit” of each ous enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design to of the six proposals. deliver the kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their advan- tageby the absence of so many good Protestants,40 who have chosen rather to leave their country, than stay at home, and pay tithes41 against their conscience, to an idolatrous Episcopal curate.

37. vermin n. pl.: pests such as lice, fleas, and bedbugs. 38. hopeful adj.: actually, hopeless. Swift is using the word with

Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser intentional irony. 39. are in a fair way: have a good chance. 40. good Protestants: that is, in Swift’s view, bad Protestants, because they object to the Church of Ireland’s bishops and regard them as “idolatrous.” 41. tithes (t¢‚z) n. pl.: monetary gifts to the church equivalent to one tenth of each donor’s income.

A Modest Proposal 133 Secondly, the poorer tenants will have something valuable Notes of their own, which by law may be made liable to distress,42 and help to pay their landlord’s rent, their corn and cattle being 200 already seized, and money a thing unknown. Thirdly, whereas the maintenance of an hundred thousand children, from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than ten shillings apiece per annum, the nation’s stock will be thereby increased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a new dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste, and the money will circulate among ourselves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.43 Fourthly, the constant breeders, besides the gain of eight 210 shillings sterling per annum, by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year. Fifthly, this food would likewise bring great custom to taverns, where the vintners44 will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts45 for dressing it to perfection, and procure (pr£·kyoor√) v.: consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentle- obtain; get. men, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good eating, and a skillful cook, who understands how to oblige his

guests will contrive to make it as expensive as they please. ved. Sixthly, this would be a great inducement to marriage, 220 which all wise nations have either encouraged by rewards, or enforced by laws and penalties. It would increase the care and tenderness of mothers toward their children, when they were sure of a settlement for life to the poor babes, provided in some sort by the public to their annual profit instead of expense, we should soon see an honest emulation46 among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest child to the

42. liable to distress: that is, the money from the sale of their children Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser may be seized by their landlords. 43. own growth and manufacture: homegrown, edible children, not imported ones. 44. vintners (vint√n¥rz) n. pl.: wine merchants. 45. receipts n. pl.: archaic for “recipes.” 46. emulation (em≈yº·l†√◊¥n) n.: competition.

134 Part 1 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century market, men would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, as they are now of their mares in foal, 47 their cows in calf, or sows when they are ready to farrow, nor brevity (brev√¥·t≤) n.: being 230 offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear brief; shortness. of a miscarriage. Many other advantages might be enumerated. For instance, the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of Explain the irony in the speaker’s claim to “brevity” barreled beef. The propagation of swine’s flesh, and improvement (line 240). in the art of making good bacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs, too frequent at our tables, which are no way comparable in taste, or magnificence to a well-grown, fat yearling child, which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a Lord Mayor’s feast, or any other public entertainment. 240 But this, and many others I omit being studious of brevity. Supposing that one thousand families in this city, would be constant customers for infants’ flesh, besides others who might have it at merry meetings, particularly weddings and christen- ings, I compute that Dublin would take off annually about twenty thousand carcasses, and the rest of the kingdom (where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper) the remaining Pause at line 254. What objection does the speaker eighty thousand. anticipate (lines 248–250)? How does he answer the ved. I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised objection? against this proposal, unless it should be urged that the number 250 of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom. This I freely own, and it was indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individual kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients:48 Of taxing our absentees49 at five shillings a pound; of using neither clothes,

47. farrow (far√£) v.: produce piglets.

Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser 48. other expedients: At one time or another, Swift had advocated all these measures for the relief of Ireland, but they were all ignored by the government. This section was italicized in all editions printed during Swift’s lifetime to indicate that Swift made these proposals sincerely rather than ironically. 49. absentees n. pl.: English landowners who refused to live on their Irish property.

A Modest Proposal 135 nor household furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture; of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments

Re-read footnote 48 on page that promote foreign luxury; of curing the expensiveness of pride, 135, which explains that 260 vanity, idleness, and gaming50 in our women; of introducing a Swift’s essay is ironic except for this italicized passage. vein of parsimony,51 prudence, and temperance; of learning to Why do you think Swift included this list of real love our country, wherein we differ even from Laplanders, and the solutions to the problems inhabitants of Topinamboo;52 of quitting our animosities, and in Ireland? factions,53 nor act any longer like the Jews, who were murdering one another at the very moment their city54 was taken; of being a little cautious not to sell our country and consciences for nothing; of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy toward their tenants. Lastly of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shopkeepers, who, if a resolution could now be taken 270 to buy only our native goods, would immediately unite to cheat and exact55 upon us in the price, the measure, and the goodness, nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it. Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, till he hath at least a glimpse of hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them in animosities (an≈¥·mäs√¥·t≤z) practice. n. pl.: hostilities; violent hatreds or resentments. But as to myself, having been wearied out for many years ved. with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly 280 despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expense and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging56 England. For this kind

50. gaming v. used as n.: gambling. 51. parsimony (pär√s¥·m£≈n≤) n.: thriftiness; economy. 52. Topinamboo: Swift is referring to a region of Brazil populated by native peoples collectively called the Tupinambá. Here, Swift suggests that if Brazilian peoples and Laplanders can love their seemingly

inhospitable lands, the Irish should love Ireland. Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser 53. factions n. pl.: political groups that work against the interests of other such groups or against the main body of government. 54. their city: Jerusalem, which the Roman emperor Titus destroyed in A.D. 70 while Jewish factions fought one another. 55. exact v.: force payment. 56. disobliging v. used as adj.: offending.

136 Part 1 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century Notes

Judy O’Donnel’s “home” under the bridge at Donnbeg, Clare, Ireland (1849). The Illustrated London News Picture Library.

of commodity will not bear exportation, the flesh being of too tender a consistence, to admit a long continuance in salt, although perhaps I could name a country,57 which would be glad to eat up our whole nation without it. After all I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be 290 found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual. But before

Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reserved. something of that kind shall be advanced in contradiction to my scheme, and offering a better, I desire the author, or authors

57. a country: England.

A Modest Proposal 137 will be pleased maturely to consider two points. First, as things now stand, how they will be able to find food and raiment for

In lines 293–305, the speaker a hundred thousand useless mouths and backs. And secondly, offers two points for con- there being a round million of creatures in human figure, sideration. Re-read those lines, and underline the throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence58 put into a two points. common stock would leave them in debt two millions of pounds sterling, adding those who are beggars by profession to the bulk 300 of farmers, cottagers, and laborers, with their wives and children, Re-read lines 305–311. who are beggars in effect; I desire those politicians, who dislike According to the speaker, what miseries will be my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, eliminated for poor people that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they if his proposal is adopted? Draw a circle around that would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold information. for food at a year old, in the manner I prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes, as they have since gone through, by the oppression of landlords, the impossibility Re-read the closing paragraph of paying rent without money or trade, the want of common of the essay. Underline words and phrases that show how sustenance, with neither house nor clothes to cover them from the speaker tries to win over 310 inclemencies of weather, and the most inevitable prospect of the reader. What type of persuasive appeal is the entailing59 the like, or great miseries, upon their breed forever. speaker making here? I profess in the sincerity of my heart that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work,

having no other motive than the public good of my country, by ved. advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which, I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past childbearing. Copyright © by Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser

58. whole subsistence: all their possessions. 59. entailing v. used as n.: passing on to the next generation.

138 Part 1 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Reading Skills:RecognizingPersuasiveTechniques hti sdi h xep.Thefirstonehasbeendoneforyou. that isusedintheexcerpt. In ex Example: 3. 2. 1. ce

and writeitinthespacebelow. Identifythetypeofappealthatisused. or underlinedin“AModestProposal.”Chooseanexamplenotlistedabove, Now, lookbackovertheexamplesofpersuasivetechniquesyouhighlighted h ln rvdd rt h yeo pel(oia,eoinl orethical) emotional, appeal(logical, of thetype write the blankprovided, T T thousand maybereservedforbreed...”(lines82–84) hundred andtwentythousandchildren,alreadycomputed, “I dothereforehumblyoffer ittopublicconsideration,thatofthe T penny .andmywifepastchildbearing.”(closingparagraph) country .Ihavenochildren,bywhichcanproposetogetasingle interest .havingnoothermotivethanthepublicgoodofmy “I professinthesincerityofmyheartthatIhavenotleastpersonal T prevent [womenfrom]sacrificingthepoorinnocentbabes.”(lines37–40) “There islikewiseanothergreatadvantageinmyscheme,thatitwill rp ype ofappeal: ype ofappeal: ype ofappeal: ype ofappeal: sfo AMds rpsl sa xml fa ts from isanexample of “A Modest Proposal” A ModestProposal emotional appeal pe rsuasive technique. aho thefollowing Each of A Modest Proposal 139 A Modest Proposal

VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT DIRECTIONS: Write vocabulary words from the Word Box in the appropriate blanks. Not all words will be used.

WordWord BoxBox In “A Modest Proposal,” Swift uses verbal irony to sustenance (1) the way England ignores Irish poverty. glutted Swift pretends to offer a suitable answer to the problem, but the deference (2) he suggests is shocking. Pointing out that scrupulous poor Irish people fill the streets everywhere one goes, Swift observes that censure they have (3) the kingdom with children. Irish expedient families who have a hard time providing their families with food are forced digressed to beg for their (4) . Swift pretends to show procure brevity (5) for those who would profit from his plan, animosities but his use of irony reveals his true feeling of disgust.

WORD ORIGINS: SCIENTIFIC AND MATHEMATICAL TERMS DIRECTIONS: Swift’s essay is full of mathematical and scientific terminology. ved. Study the chart on the left, which lists some common Greek and Latin roots and affixes. Use that information to match each mathematical or scientific word with its meaning.

1. melancholy a. science of farming Roots and Affixes b. mathematical Greek, melanos: 2. geology calculation “dark; black” c. study of the earth Latin, physica: 3. agriculture “natural science” d. characterized by 4. physicist dark depression Greek, geo–: Vocabulary “ground; earth” e. person who studies Skills 5. computation the natural sciences Use vocabulary

Latin, com–: “with” Holt, © by Copyright Winston. Rinehart and All rights reser in context. Understand and putare: “to origins of reckon” scientific and mathematical terms. Greek, agros: “field; soil; earth”

140 Part 1 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century Collection 4 Student Pages 124–125 125 Literary Skills Understand verbal irony. Reading Skills Recognize persuasive techniques (logical, emotional, and ethical appeals). A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal Through satire. by Jonathan Swift by Jonathan listed below to convince the reader that the use of words that stir up strong feelings. whenever you say one thing but mean something the use of facts or statistics to support a position. the use of details that will convince readers Look at the following examples of verbal irony. Then, Look at the following examples of verbal irony. As you read the selection, highlight and identify types Situation Say) (What You Irony Verbal persuasive techniques verbal irony u trip and fall in front of a large I the picture of grace?” “Aren’t Logical appeals: Emotional appeals: Ethical appeals: writer is fair and trustworthy. ou have a bad case of the flu. A respond, “Never felt better!” You Yo group of people, your books and papers flying everywhere. you ask as struggle to your Y friend visits and asks, “How are you?” feet. ou use completely different. When you speak, your tone of voice signals listeners completely different. have the don’t really mean what you are saying. Writers that you don’t Instead, they might option of using a sarcastic tone voice to convey irony. make so many shocking or unbelievable statements that the reader can’t essay is a classic example of verbal irony possibly miss the point. Swift’s taken to the extreme. Y Isn’t It Ironic? “A Modest Proposal” is a type of persuasive writing called change. “A satire, writers ridicule people or institutions in order to effect Modest Proposal” was written in 1729 to shock English society into an unjust policies toward the Irish. In it, Swift uses awareness of England’s types of treatment of the Irish is heartless and immoral. England’s • • • Use the Skill create your own example in the space provided. of persuasive appeals used by Swift. Refer to the list above as a guide.

A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal FOCUS: VERBAL IRONY LITERARY READING SKILLS: RECOGNIZING PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright ). The (1881). Clarissa and amela P Front cover of novel Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe The Bridgeman Art Library. has even been made into an Oscar-winning been made into has even om Jones T The novels ofThe novels one of eighteenth- the most prominent the last decade of the century, was changing in the world

ntury novelists, Henry Fielding (1707–1754), literally are ntury was closing. as at the end of Just century, the twentieth rs to copy them. copy rs to us something of tell All these novels what life haracters, (in especially his heroines ce incidents.crammed with and rowdy rough rollicking Fielding’s novel movie, proof and still fresh that his high-spirited are characters today.funny (1689–1761) was perhaps the Samuel Richardson explore to first novelist in great detail the emotional life of his c at this time was like. and They also help us understand the joys disappointments of in all experience ages. human for a Simpler Life Searching By disturbing ways. was turning English The Industrial Revolution filthy, into cities and towns smoky slums. the English Across Channel, a king and set their murder about to were the French whole society political course. on a different The eighteenth ce begin,people sensed that a new era was about to so did people in that the age ofEngland know elegance, taste, was over. and reason novels ofnovels experimental and (1713–1768) are Sterne Laurence the effortswhimsical—and still unique despite of imita- many to 220 230 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century Part 1 Pause at line 227. What can we learn by reading the novels of the eighteenth century? Underline that information. If you wanted to learn more about important historical events that occurred toward the end of eighteenth what information in century, the last paragraph would you have questions about? Circle it. 124

Student Pages with Answers 63 Collection 4 Student Pages 126–127 127 (line 28) prodigious dam , in line 11, means A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal means “female parent” and is usually used to refer to a domestic animal. What attitude toward poor women does this word The word (pr£·dij√¥s) “an enormous quantity.” Pause at line 18. What does Swift say is the problem facing the nation? too many are There starving children. The word choice suggest? It implies that poor women and their not much are children better than animals. Pause at line 36. At what age can children be made useful to society? Circle that information. Underline the way in which they can be of use. 10 for the rest offor the rest their 9 I have always found them always I have 6 may be supported her milk, by may for a 7 clothing. n.: speculators; schemers. n part, thoughts, turned having my for many ow

from the first day of spring in one year to last n. pl.: ith little other nourishment, the at most not above suspect. (r†√m¥nt) w mother (ordinarily used only of animals). my

v.: 8 n.: to t my intention is very far from being confined to provide to being confined is very intention far from t my

I think it is agreed by all parties, by I think it is agreed number that this prodigious Bu As There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, in my advantage another great is likewise There nt, of in the whole number and shall take infants at a certain of winter in the next. have his statue set up for a preserver of his statue set up for a preserver have the nation. te ossly mistaken in their computation.ossly mistaken is true It a child, just

ears, upon this important subject, weighed the and maturely 8. solar year: 9. raiment 6. projectors 7. dam value of shillings, two certainly get, the mother may which or the value in scraps, of occupation her lawful by begging, and it for them, provide to old that I propose at one year is exactly in a manner,such as, of instead upon their parents, being a charge or the parish, or wanting food and raiment gr its dam, from dropped 10. doubt of children, in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, of and frequently their fathers, is in the present deplorable of state the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; find out a fair, could whoever and therefore cheap, and easy method of sound and useful members making these children of deserve of so well would the commonwealth the public, as to ofonly for the children beggars; professed it is of greater a much ex age, born of who are support in effect as little able to parents them, as those who demand our charity in the streets. solar year lives, they shall, on the contrary, the feeding and to contribute partly the clothing of to thousands. many that it will those voluntary abortions, prevent and that horrid ofpractice children, their bastard murdering women alas! too among us,frequent sacrificing babes, the poor innocent I doubt, y of schemes several other projectors,

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Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright 5 for their sustenance These mothers, of instead 2 asking passersby for a handout. RELAND FROM BEING A BURDEN go to the West Indies and work as indentured go to the West I Dublin. James Edward (1688–1766), son of England’s last James Edward (1688–1766), son of England’s lack; need. in Spain, the Barbadoes. to or sell themselves 4 n.: or travel in the country,or travel when they see the streets, the of work, country fight to for the their dear native leave or 1 3 Catholic king, the deposed James II (1633–1701); Edward kept trying to gain the English throne. servants. is a melancholy object to those, object to is a melancholy this great who walk through ads, and cabin doors, with beggars of crowded the female sex,

Jonathan Swift AND FOR MAKING THEM BENEFICIAL TO THE PUBLIC helpless infants, who, for up either turn thieves as they grow want being able to work for their honest livelihood, work being able to to forced are all their time in strolling,employ beg to ro three, by followed four, six children, or all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms. It town, 1. town: this great 2. importuning . alms: 3. want 4. the Pretender: 5. sell . Barbadoes: Pretender , 10 TO THEIR PARENTS Here, Swift pretends to be an economic planner who suggests a n.: BACKGROUND from several years of poor harvests. In the late 1720s, Ireland suffered Farmers had trouble paying the rents demanded by their English landlords. Many children and adults were forced to beg or starve. Most of the money collected by landlords was sent to England; very little was spent in Ireland on locally produced goods. for the sharp contrast between shocking solution to the problem. Watch direct, logical style and the outrageous proposal he describes. Swift’s OR PREVENTING THE CHILDREN OF POOR PEOPLE IN Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century F in line 1, means (sus√t¥·n¥ns) Part 1 Melancholy, “sad.” Using that knowledge, paraphrase the first sentence. Suggested response: When people go out walking in this town it or in this country, to see is depressing women and their kids begging. sustenance food or money to support life. 126

64 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manual Collection 4 Student Pages 128–129 129 A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal Re-read lines 77–81. Circle the words Swift uses to describe a young, healthy child. Based on these details, what plan do you think he is about to propose deal starving with Ireland’s population? It sounds like he will that year-old propose of the poor children be killed and used for food. The speaker provides details in support of his outrageous plan (lines 93–97). Underline those details. 20 of my 18 or ragout. 19 stew with a light gravy. n.: highly flavored stew. be profitable. n.: either to the parents or the kingdom, the parents either to the 17 Swift’s readers this label would suggest a barbaric person. Swift’s

To (frik≈¥·s≤√) (ra·gº√) I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration, humbly offer it to I do therefore that upon a medium, reckoned I have just born that a child will I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, my propose humbly therefore I shall now American a very knowing by been assured I have American: our savages; one male will serve four be sufficient to therefore igh twelve pounds,igh twelve if and in a solar year nursed tolerably

ith a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth harge of nutriment and rags been at least four times having turn to account turn to in London,acquaintance nursed well child healthy that a young old a most delicious,is at a year nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled, and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, of and twenty thousand children, the hundred computed, already for breed, be reserved twenty thousand may whereof only one- fourth part be males, to sheep, to allow than we is more which black cattle, or swine, are is that these children reason and my seldom the fruits of marriage, regarded not much a circumstance by females. at a year thousand may hundred That the remaining the persons of in sale to old be offered quality, and fortune, the kingdom,through let them advising the mother to always suck plentifully in the last month, them plump, render so as to and fat for a good table. dishes at an two will A child make entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the or hind quarterdish, willfore a reasonable make and seasoned w day, especially in winter. we twenty-eight to pounds. increaseth 17. turn to account: 18. 19. fricassee c that value. I hope will the least objection. which not be liable to 20. ragout

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Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright 13 or agriculture; we 12 ho protested to me, to ho protested that w 15 in Ireland being usually reckoned one being usually reckoned in Ireland 11 as I have been informed by a principal been informed by as I have 16 apprentices. 14 exceptionally advanced or mature for their age. manufacturing. n. pl.: people. n.: stealing. inland county in Ireland that is remote from Dublin. n. pl.: The number ofThe number souls our merchants, by I am assured or girl, that a boy before mber I subtract thirty thousand couples, able to who are me to this age,me to pounds, they will three not yield above or three en in a part of for the quickest the kingdom so renowned undred thousand couples whose wives are breeders, are whose wives thousand couples undred which from hildren ofhildren born: annually poor parents The question therefore ears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast. and inhuman ears and pity in the most savage million and a half, of be about two may there these I calculate h nu maintain their own children, cannot although there I apprehend of distresses under the present be so many the kingdom, this but being granted, and seventy thousand will an hundred there remain breeders. I again subtract who fifty thousand for those women miscarry, accident, die by whose children or or disease within the year. and twenty thousand an hundred only remain There c is, shall be reared, this number how for, and provided which, as said, already I have situation of under the present affairs, is all the methods hitherto proposed, impossible by utterly for we them in handicraft, can neither employ under the age of instances one or two knew above he never six, ev in that art.proficiency more to avoid the expense, avoid to more than the shame, move would which t although, they learn earlier, the rudiments I confess much during time, which upon looked be properly they can however only as probationers, old, years twelve is no saleable commodity, when they and even co pounds and half at most on the exchange, a crown cannot which 11. souls gentleman in the county of Cavan, neither build houses (I mean in the country) land: nor cultivate until they stealing by They can very seldom pick up a livelihood old, at six years arrive of they are where except parts, towardly 12. handicraft 13. parts: of towardly 14. probationers 15. Cavan: 16. that art: 50 60 70 and Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century is Swift savage make an Part 1 Re-read lines 37–42. Circle the words in line 42 that suggest that poor people are not civilized. By using these words, which type of persuasive appeal making? The words Re-read lines 43–53. What kind of language does Swift use here to describe births and deaths of the poor? How does this language help him make his point? Swift uses mathematical language to describe the number of births, miscarriages, and deaths. The impersonal use of statistics exaggerates the heartlessness of government agencies. 128 inhuman emotional appeal.

Student Pages with Answers 65 Collection 4 Student Pages 130–131 131 A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal Re-read lines 128–132, in which the speaker suggests “dressing” children “hot from the knife.” What effect do you think Swift expects this word choice to have on readers? In discussing the economics of his proposal, what kind appeal is the speaker making (lines 114–123)? a logical appeal He assumes his word choice will outrage people and make them think. Pause at line 142. What “refinement,” or modifica- plan is tion, of the author’s suggested in this paragraph? Underline the answer. rags 28 26 laborers, and four- may be appointed for be appointed may 25 29 and these to be disposed ofand these to their parents by 30 the carcass; the skin of which, artificially tenant farmers. with great artifice; skillfully. 27 slaughterhouse. Latin for “by the year”; annually. employment as servants. adv.: n. pl.: n.: our city of Dublin, shambles n.:

remove the skin of. to v.:

A very worthy person,A very worthy of a true lover his country, and I have already computed the charge of the charge computed already I have a beggar’s nursing As Those who are more thrifty the times more confess (as I must Those who are uire) may flay may uire) ll make four dishes ofll make meat, nutritive excellent when he hath hild (in which list I reckon all cottagers, list I reckon hild (in which this purpose, parts of in the most convenient it, we and butchers will be assured not be wanting,may although I rather recom- alive,mend buying the children the them hot from and dressing knife, pigs. do roasting as we whose virtues I highly esteem, pleased, was lately in discoursing on this matter, scheme. upon my offer a refinement to said, He gentlemen ofthat many this kingdom, of having destroyed late their deer, that the want of he conceived might be well venison the bodies ofsupplied by lads and maidens, young not exceeding fourteen of years age, nor under twelve, of so great a number starve, in every to country ready both sexes being now want for of and service: work c dressed, for ladies, admirable will gloves make and summer boots for fine gentlemen. 25. cottagers 26. per annum: 27. flay 28. artificially 29. shambles 30. service if alive, otherwise or relations. their nearest by with But due fifths of shillings be about two per the farmers) annum, to included, ten give to repine no gentleman would and I believe ofshillings for the carcass a good fat child, which, said as I have wi only some particular friend, dine with or his own family to him. will the squire be a good landlord, learnThus to pop- and grow ular among his tenants, eight the mother will shillings net have profit, another child. until she produceth and be fit for work req

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Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright 24 22 An Irish cabin. and therefore 21 National Library of Ireland, Dublin. an eminent French physician,an eminent French that fish 23 than usual, of because the number popish The French satirist François Rabelais. His work is comic, made poor by charging high rents. derogatory term meaning “Roman Catholic.” glutted v.: expensive. adj.: adj.: nfant’s flesh will the year, be in season throughout nfant’s but I grant this food will be somewhat dear, I proper for landlords,proper who, devoured already as they have have one other collateral advantage by lessening the number by advantage one other collateral have

not “grave.”

ll ry old by a grave author, a grave old by of papists among us. 22. devoured 23. grave author: 24. popish most of the parents, the children. the best title to have seem to plentiful in March,more and after, and a little before are we for t infants, one in this kingdom, to is at least three it and therefore wi 21. dear ve being a prolific diet,being a prolific born in Roman children more are there Lent,Catholic countries about nine months after than at any other season, Lent, after a year reckoning therefore the markets more be will 110 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century used as v. to expose a Part 1 (glut√id) overfilled. Re-read lines 104–113. According to the speaker, of what is a desirable effect having a glut of infants on the market? Re-read lines 101–103 and footnotes 21–22. Swift uses verbal irony major cause of the poverty in Ireland. Restate the sentence in your own words. Suggested response: I admit this food will be expensive, and perfect for therefore who have landlords, taken the already money and parents’ so have the most right to take their too. children, glutted adj.: the It will decrease number of Roman Catholics in Ireland. 130

66 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manual Collection 4 Student Pages 132–133 133 (line v.: pattern of Then, under- (d¢·grest√) encumbrance A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal wandered off the subject. wandered off The word 176) means “a burden, a hindrance, or a weight.” Re-read lines 172–185. Why the speaker concerned isn’t about the great number of other poor people in Ireland? Underline that information. digressed The speaker lists the “advantages” of his proposal one by one. As you read lines 189–231, circle the word or phrase at the beginning of each paragraph that reveals the text’s organization. line the “benefit” of each of the six proposals. as fast who have 37 40 of from being soon delivered 39 and therefore shall return to my to shall return and therefore a condition. They cannot get 38 digressed, monetary gifts to the church equivalent one that is, in Swift’s view, bad Protestants, because view, that is, in Swift’s have a good chance. pests such as lice, fleas, and bedbugs. actually, hopeless. Swift is using the word with actually, n. pl.: z)

adj.: ‚ n. pl.: (t¢ against their conscience, curate. Episcopal an idolatrous to r first, observed, already as I have lessen greatly it would and consequently pine away for want of pine away and consequently nourishment, a to 41 , Some persons of a desponding spiritin great concern are I have too long too I have Fo tenth of each donor’s income. tenth of each donor’s intentional irony. bishops and regard them as they object to the Church of Ireland’s “idolatrous.” rk hosen rather to leave their country, leave hosen rather to at home, than stay and pay otting, cold, by and famine, and filth, and vermin, can be reasonably expected.can be reasonably they laborers the younger as to And in almost as hopeful now are house, fineries, and assemblies in foreign will they which never for;pay not be the worse. the kingdom would ofabout that vast number poor people, aged, who are diseased, or maimed, thoughts my employ to been desired and I have be taken, may what course ease the nation of to so grievous an encumbrance. I am not in the least pain upon that matter, But because it is very known, well every dying, that they are day and r 37. vermin wo degree, that if common to hired accidentally time they are at any labor, perform to it, not strength they have the country and thus in a fair way are and themselves c tithes the evils come. to subject. made I have which the proposal by I think the advantages as of as well obvious and many are the highest importance. ofthe number papists, overrun, yearly with are whom we being ofthe principal breeders the nation, as our most danger- as well ous enemies, at home on purpose with and who stay a design to the Pretender, the kingdom to deliver their advan- take hoping to tage of the absence by good Protestants, so many 38. hopeful 39. in a fair way: are 40. good Protestants: 41. tithes

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Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright 32 34 be a loss to 31 scrupulous of the court, in joints and appear at the play- 33 36 such a practice (although a practice such indeed officials. The term comes from officials. with all due respect to those who hold n. pl.: censure gallows. at four hundred crowns.at four hundred indeed can Neither George Psalmanazar (c. 1679–1763), a Frenchman who 35 n.: large cuts of meat, including the bone. the Portuguese word describing high-ranking officials the Portuguese word describing high-ranking officials (man√d¥·rinz) so excellent a friend,so excellent and so deserving a patriot, I

sedan chair; a covered seat carried by servants. was put into his head by the famous Sallmanaazor, his head by was put into to (jib√it) n. pl.: n.: t in order to justify my friend, justify my to t in order that this he confessed Bu unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty,unjustly) as a little bordering which, I confess,

such opinions. pretended to be from Formosa, an old Portuguese name for Taiwan. His writings were fraudulent. mandarim, in the Chinese Empire, with which Portuguese traded. erican acquaintance assured me from frequent experience, frequent me from assured erican acquaintance ry rls in this town, who, without one single their fortunes, to groat ve hath always been with objection against any me the strongest hath always project, intended. soever well how expedient people might be apt to the public, them- breeders become because they soon would selves: that some besides it is not improbable And I deny, that if made of the same use were plump young several gi withoutcannot stir abroad a chair, deference in his sentiments,cannot be altogether the males, for as to my Am that their flesh was generally tough and lean, that of like our schoolboys, exercise, continual by disagreeable, and their taste the charge. not answer them would fatten and to the Then as to females, it would, I think with submission, humble ofa native the island Formosa, to thence who came from London, ago, twenty years above my told and in conversation friend, person happened to that in his country young when any death,be put to persons of to sold the carcass the executioner quality, as a prime dainty, and that, in his time, of the body a plump girl of fifteen, poison who to was crucified for an attempt the emperor, prime minister his imperial was sold to majesty’s of state, mandarins and other great the gibbet, from 31. with humble submission: 32. Sallmanaazor: 33. mandarins 34. joints 35. gibbet 36. chair 150 160 n.: n.: Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century condemn; v.: (skrº√py¥·l¥s) (ek·sp≤√d≤·¥nt) (def√¥r·¥ns) Part 1 (sen√◊¥r) extremely careful and blame. expedient respect. scrupulous adj.: precise in deciding what is right or wrong. censure convenient means to an end. deference Pause at line 166, and read footnote 32. How trustworthy a source is Sallmanaazor? Why do you think Swift uses his ideas as an example? Sallmanaazor was exposed as a fraud; he is not as a source Swift trustworthy. deliberately cites him to make it clear his is outrageous. proposal 132

Student Pages with Answers 67 Collection 4 Student Pages 134–135 135 being n.: in the irony (brev√¥·t≤) does he answer the

A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal eality he has gone brevity Explain the claim to “brevity” speaker’s (line 240). list He says he won’t other advantages because he wants to be brief, when in r length. on at great Pause at line 254. What objection does the speaker anticipate (lines 248–250)? How objection? The number of people in the kingdom will be lessened. The greatly this speaker regards very same idea as a plus. brief; shortness. nor 47 Of taxing 48 brevity. At one time or another, Swift had advocated all At one time or another, produce piglets. English landowners who refused to live on their v.: at five shillings a pound; of using neither clothes, n. pl.: 49 other advantages mightother advantages be enumerated. instance, For

(far√£) ny pposing that one thousand families in this city, be would Ma Su I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised these measures for the relief of Ireland, but they were all ignored by the government. This section was italicized in all editions printed lifetime to indicate that Swift made these proposals during Swift’s sincerely rather than ironically. Irish property. t this, others I omit being studious of and many the world. will the reader observe, I desire my that I calculate nstant customers for infants’nstant customers flesh, besides others who might

medy for this one individualmedy kingdom of Ireland, and for no our absentees market, as fond of become men would their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, of now as they are in foal, their mares in calf,their cows farrow, to ready when they are or sows 47. farrow 48. other expedients: 49. absentees offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear frequent beat or kick them (as is too offer to of a miscarriage. the addition of in our exportation of some thousand carcasses barreled beef. of The propagation flesh, swine’s and improvement in the art of making good bacon, among us by wanted so much the great destruction of pigs, at our tables, frequent too which in taste, comparable no way are a well-grown, to or magnificence child,fat yearling whole will a considerable roasted which make feast, Mayor’s at a Lord figure other public entertainment. or any Bu co it at merryhave meetings, particularly weddings and christen- ings, off take that Dublin would I compute about annually twenty thousand carcasses, of and the rest the kingdom (where they willprobably be sold somewhat the remaining cheaper) eighty thousand. against this proposal, unless it should be urged that the number of lessened in the kingdom. much people will be thereby This I own,freely and it was indeed one principal design in offering it to re was,other that ever is, or, I think, can be upon earth. ever me of let no man talk to Therefore other expedients:

230 240 250

ll homegrown, edible children, not competition. wi n.: for dressing it to perfection, it to for dressing and 44 wine merchants. 45 n. pl.: that is, the money from sale of their children archaic for “recipes.” (em≈yº·l†√◊¥n) (vint√n¥rz) n. pl.: the best receipts ourthly, breeders, the constant besides the gain of eight ixthly, marriage, to inducement be a great this would Secondly, something valuable will tenants have the poorer F Fifthly, bring to likewise custom great this food would Thirdly, of the maintenance whereas thousand an hundred S may be seized by their landlords. imported ones. men, of which the to bring child the fattest them could ll be thereby increased fifty increased thousand pounds per annum, ll be thereby nsequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentle- by their houses frequented nsequently have nderness of their children, mothers toward when they were hildren, old, years two from and upwards, cannot be computed of their own, distress, be made liable to may law by which shillings per annum, sterling the sale of by their children, will be rid of of the charge the first year. maintaining them after taverns, the vintners where 42. liable to distress: 43. and manufacture: own growth 44. vintners procure help to pay their landlord’s rent, their landlord’s pay help to and cattle being their corn seized,already and money a thing unknown. c per annum, shillings apiece at less than ten stock the nation’s wi ofbesides the profit a new dish, the tables of to introduced all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, refinement any who have in taste, and the money will among ourselves, circulate the ofgoods being entirely our own growth and manufacture. co men, in good upon their knowledge who justly value themselves eating, and a skillful cook, oblige his to who understands how as they please. it as expensive make to guests will contrive rewards, by either encouraged all wisewhich nations have or and penalties. laws by enforced and the care increase would It te ofsure the poor babes, a settlement for life to in some provided of instead profit their annual sort the public to by expense, we should soon see an honest emulation wo 45. receipts 46. emulation 200 210 220 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century v.: Part 1 (pr£·kyoor√) Notes Notes procure obtain; get. 134

68 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manual Collection 4 Student Pages 136–137 137 A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal Notes Notes which would be would which 57 England. Judy O’Donnel’s “home” under the bridge Judy O’Donnel’s at Donnbeg, Clare, Ireland (1849). The Illustrated London News Picture Library. r all own opinion, I am not so violently bent upon my te Af scheme, and offering a better, the author, I desire or authors

o tender a consistence,o tender in salt, admit a long continuance to ad to eat up our whole nation withoutad to it. of will commodity not bear exportation, the flesh being of to although name a country, perhaps I could gl offer, any reject as to wise by men, proposed shall be which found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual. before But something of to in contradiction that kind shall be advanced my 57. a country:

290

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright and animosities, was taken; of being a 54 England. this kind For 56 quitting our in our women; of introducing a thriftiness; economy. of offending. 50 52 n.: adj.: gambling. prudence, of and temperance; learning to n.: 51 political groups that work against the interests of used as Swift is referring to a region of Brazil populated by v. (pär√s¥·m£≈n≤) used as Jerusalem, which the Roman emperor Titus destroyed in Jerusalem, which the Roman emperor Titus upon us in the price, the measure, and the goodness, force payment. n. pl.: v. nor act any longer like the Jews, longer like nor act any murdering who were 55 v.: 53 t as to myself,t as to years been wearied having out for many 70 while Jewish factions fought one another. . D Therefore I repeat,Therefore me of let no man talk to these and the Bu . native peoples collectively called the Tupinambá. Here, Swift suggests native peoples collectively called the Tupinambá. that if Brazilian peoples and Laplanders can love their seemingly inhospitable lands, the Irish should love Ireland. other such groups or against the main body of government. A can incur no danger in disobliging

teaching landlords to have at least one degree of to have teaching landlords toward mercy ll ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them in to be some hearty attempt ll ever and sincere pense and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby ith offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly 51. parsimony 52. Topinamboo: 53. factions 54. their city: love our country, wherein we differ even Laplanders, from and the inhabitants of Topinamboo; one another at the very moment their city nor household furniture, except what is of our own growth and ofmanufacture; utterly rejecting the materials and instruments foreignthat promote luxury; of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity, idleness, and gaming vein of parsimony, 50. gaming little cautious not to sell our country and consciences for nothing; of their tenants. Lastly of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shopkeepers, who, if a resolution could now be taken only our native goods,to buy would immediately unite to cheat and exact nor could ever yet of one fair proposal be brought to make just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it. expedients,like till he hath at least a glimpse of hope, that there wi practice. w despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no ex we 55. exact 56. disobliging factions, 260 270 280 except Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century ironic (an≈¥·mäs√¥·t≤z) Part 1 hostilities; violent easonable proposals, Re-read footnote 48 on page 135, which explains that essay is Swift’s for this italicized passage. Why do you think Swift included this list of real solutions to the problems in Ireland? It shows that if the government ignores r then maybe it will pay attention to extreme, ones. unreasonable animosities n. pl.: hatreds or resentments. 136

Student Pages with Answers 69 Collection 4 Student Pages 138–139 139 A Modest Proposal A Modest Proposal Each ofEach the following rsuasive technique. rsuasive pe ethical appeal logical appeal logical appeal emotional appeal A Modest Proposal “the nation’s stock will be thereby increased fifty increased stock will be thereby “the nation’s ts from “A Modest Proposal” Modest “A of is an example ts from a ype of appeal: ype of appeal: ype of appeal: ype of appeal: rp thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit new dish. . .” (lines 203–205) “There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent [women from] sacrificing the poor innocent babes.” (lines 37–40) T “I profess in the sincerity of my heart that I have not least personal interest . having no other motive than the public good of my country . I have no children, by which can propose to get a single penny . and my wife past childbearing.” (closing paragraph) T it to public consideration, that of the “I do therefore humbly offer hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, thousand may be reserved for breed. . .” (lines 82–84) T T the blank provided, write the type of appeal (logical, emotional, or ethical) Now, look back over the examples of persuasive techniques you highlighted Now, or underlined in “A Modest Proposal.” Choose an example not listed above, Identify the type of appeal that is used. and write it in the space below.

ce 1. 2. 3. Example:

ex In that is used in the excerpt. The first one has been done for you. appear below. Suggested responses Reading Skills: Recognizing Persuasive Techniques

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright put into a put into 58 passing on to the next generation. all their possessions. n.: used as v. the like, or great miseries, forever. upon their breed 59 erture, an answer, attempt perhaps be so bold to and may I profess in the sincerityI profess of not the least heart that I have my ov

ll be pleased maturely to consider two points. two consider to ll be pleased maturely First, as things mmon stock would leave them in debt two millions of them in debt two leave would mmon stock pounds oided such a perpetual ofoided such scene misfortunes, since as they have ould not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold have happiness to think it a great ould not at this day ears old, wife past childbearing. and my wi stand,now they will find food and raiment how for be able to thousand useless mouths and backs.a hundred secondly, And million of being a round there figure, in human creatures this kingdom,throughout whose whole subsistence 58. whole subsistence: 59. entailing personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, promote to in endeavoring personal interest than the public good of no other motive having country, my by our trade,advancing for infants, providing relieving the poor, the rich.and giving to some pleasure no children, I have which, by get a single to penny;I can propose being nine the youngest y co sterling, the bulk to profession beggars by adding those who are of farmers, cottagers, and laborers, with and children, their wives beggars in effect;who are those politicians, I desire who dislike my that they will of first ask the parents these mortals, whether they w old,for food at a year in the manner I prescribe, have and thereby av gone through, of the oppression by landlords, the impossibility of without rent paying money or trade, the want of common sustenance, them from with cover neither house nor clothes to inclemencies of weather, and the most inevitable of prospect entailing 300 310 Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century is the Part 1 In lines 293–305, the speaker two points for con- offers sideration. Re-read those lines, and underline the two points. Re-read lines 305–311. According to the speaker, what miseries will be eliminated for poor people if his proposal is adopted? Draw a circle around that information. Re-read the closing paragraph Underline words of the essay. and phrases that show how the speaker tries to win over What type of the reader. persuasive appeal speaker making here? an ethical appeal 138

70 The Holt Reader: Teacher’s Manual Collection 4 Student Pages 140–141 141 An Essay look for ways Literary Skill Understand antithesis. Reading Skills Identify a stance. writer’s Review Skills Understand imagery. IMAGERY REVIEW SKILLS REVIEW SKILLS As you read on Man, in which imagery helps the writer express his views on humanity. Language that appeals to the senses. An Essay on Man from heroic restate the An Essay on Man. An Essay on Man, presents contrasting ideas in a by Alexander Pope by Alexander or —his or her views on a topic—because of antithesis “Give me liberty, or else kill me.” “Give me liberty, “Give me liberty, or give me death.” “Give me liberty, writer’s stance writer’s As you read the excerpt from structure—two rhyming lines of iambic pentameter. err is human, to forgive, divine.”

rust not yourself; but your defects to know, rue ease in writing comes from art, not chance, T T “Good nature and good sense must ever join; To “Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always to be blest.” Make use of every friend—and foe.” As those move easiest who have learned to dance.” ou can identify a heroic couplets in your own words. Mark examples of antithesis that you beliefs and values reveal about him as an find. Think about what Pope’s individual and as a representative of the age in which he lived. Y things the writer either hints at or directly states. Like other writers of his purpose was to instruct his readers as well entertain them. time, Pope’s express his As a result, his poetry reflects moral and social values. To views on human nature, education, and writing, Pope often uses the couplet heroic couplets: Here are some of Pope’s • • •“ •“ Use the Skill Which of the statements above is stronger? more memorable? Of course, most people will choose the first statement, which happens to be an example of antithesis. An grammatically balanced or parallel statement. Alexander Pope regularly uses antithesis to express his thoughts. Look for examples of antithesis as you read the excerpt from

An Essay on Man FOCUS: ANTITHESIS LITERARY READING SKILLS: IDENTIFYING THE WRITER’S STANCE

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. rights All Winston. and Rinehart Holt, by © Copyright science of farming mathematical calculation study of the earth characterized by dark depression person who studies the natural sciences a. b. c. d. e. melancholy geology agriculture physicist computation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. c a e d b sustenance glutted rite vocabulary words from the Word Box in the appropriate rite vocabulary words from the Word with” “to Swift’s essay is full of mathematical and scientific terminology. Swift’s W censure deference expedient melanos: geo–: agros: physica: com–: “ putare: In “A Modest Proposal,” Swift uses verbal irony to Roots and Affixes Greek, “dark; black” Latin, “natural science” Greek, “ground; earth” Latin, Greek, “field; soil; earth” and reckon” WORD ORIGINS: SCIENTIFIC AND MATHEMATICAL TERMS WORD ORIGINS: SCIENTIFIC AND MATHEMATICAL (1) a suitable answer to the problem, but Swift pretends to offer (2) poor Irish people fill the streets everywhere one goes, Swift observes that they have (3) families who have a hard time providing their with food are forced to beg for their (4) the way England ignores Irish poverty. (5) but his use of irony reveals true feeling disgust. he suggests is shocking. Pointing out that DIRECTIONS: the kingdom with children. Irish Study the chart on left, which lists some common Greek and Latin roots Use that information to match each mathematical or scientific and affixes. . Swift pretends to show word with its meaning. for those who would profit from his plan, VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT VOCABULARY DIRECTIONS: blanks. Not all words will be used. Collection 4: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century Part 1 brevity terms. glutted procure censure Skills digressed deference deference expedient scrupulous sustenance animosities origins of Word Box Word Box in context. ocabulary Understand scientific and V mathematical Use vocabulary A Modest Proposal 140

Student Pages with Answers 71 Name Date

Selection Title

Irony

Irony is a discrepancy between appearance and reality. There are three main types of irony: verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony.

DIRECTIONS: Complete the chart with examples from the selection that illustrate each of the three types of irony. (Not all selections will include all three types of irony.)

Types of Irony Examples from Selection

Verbal irony: a contrast between what is said and what is meant—for example, calling a bald man “Curly.”

Situational irony: a contrast between what you expect to happen and what actually happens—for example, when the birthday girl cries at her party.

Dramatic irony: a contrast between what the characters know and what the reader or audience knows—for example, when the reader knows a character will die at the end of the story but the character does not know. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Graphic Organizers 209