A Modest Proposal Summary
Jonathan Swift

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A Modest Proposal Summary

Modest Proposal is a satirical essay by the 18th century author Jonathan Swift. In the voice of a rich gentleman, largely out of touch with society. It outlines an argument for selling infant children for meat. To do so would reignite Ireland's industries, bringing the country out of its current financial slump.

The author states that Ireland needs a cheap and simple solution to help its impoverished population. The Irish streets...

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Encyclopedia Articles (1)

A Modest Proposal

3,407 words, approx. 12 pages

A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift As dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Ireland, Jonathan Swift saw firsthand the devastating consequences of famine on the poorer segments of the Irish population. C... Read more

Jonathan Swift Biographies (6)

Jonathan Swift

1,951 words, approx. 7 pages

The Irish poet, political writer, and clergyman Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) ranks as the foremost prose satirist in the English language and as one of the greatest satirists in world literature.Jonatha... Read more

Jonathan Swift

2,502 words, approx. 9 pages

Seventeenth-century British writer Jonathan Swift is considered to be perhaps the foremost prose satirist in the English language and one of the greatest masters of that form in world literature. Thro... Read more

Jonathan Swift

11,636 words, approx. 39 pages

On 14 August 1725, Jonathan Swift wrote to his friend Charles Ford: "I have finished my Travells, and I am now transcribing them; they are admirable Things, and will wonderfully mend the World." At ... Read more

Jonathan Swift

12,462 words, approx. 42 pages

(Editor's note: In a departure from normal DLB procedure, the author cites conjectural dates of composition, instead of dates of publication, after Swift 's titles in the text.)Jonathan Swift --autho... Read more

Jonathan Swift

14,494 words, approx. 49 pages

For most general readers, the name Jonathan Swift is associated only with his satiric masterpiece Gulliver's Travels. They are not aware that, in addition to it and hundreds of poems, he wrote a great... Read more

Jonathan Swift

13,020 words, approx. 44 pages

Biography EssayOn 14 August 1725, Jonathan Swift wrote to his friend Charles Ford: "I have finished my Travells, and I am now transcribing them; they are admirable Things, and will wonderfully mend th... Read more

Essays & Analysis (27)

Critical Essay by George Wittkowsky

12,851 words, approx. 43 pages

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Critical Essay by Denis Donoghue

2,533 words, approx. 9 pages

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Critical Essay by Thomas Lockwood

6,293 words, approx. 21 pages

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Critical Essay by Wayne C. Booth

7,790 words, approx. 26 pages

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Critical Essay by Robert F. Willson Jr.

4,777 words, approx. 16 pages

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Critical Essay by C. N. Manlove

2,099 words, approx. 7 pages

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Critical Essay by C. J. Rawson

10,493 words, approx. 35 pages

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Critical Essay by Robert Hunting

2,135 words, approx. 8 pages

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Critical Essay by Lloyd Davis

9,010 words, approx. 31 pages

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Critical Essay by Robert Phiddian

8,358 words, approx. 28 pages

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Critical Essay by Robert Mahoney

3,218 words, approx. 11 pages

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Critical Essay by Maurice Johnson

3,111 words, approx. 11 pages

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Critical Essay by John Richardson

6,975 words, approx. 24 pages

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Critical Essay by Oliver W. Ferguson

3,268 words, approx. 11 pages

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Critical Essay by Louis A. Landa

4,423 words, approx. 15 pages

4,987 words, approx. 17 pages

2,071 words, approx. 7 pages

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Critical Essay by John W. Tilton

4,642 words, approx. 16 pages

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Critical Essay by Samuel J. Rogal

2,738 words, approx. 10 pages

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Critical Essay by Samuel L. Macey

2,843 words, approx. 10 pages

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A Modest Proposal

698 words, approx. 3 pages

Any reasonable person would agree that the problem of immigration to the United States is a pressing one. All compassion for this unfortunate group of creatures aside, it must be recognized that they... Read more

A Modest Proposal

1,277 words, approx. 5 pages

It is sad to know that millions of homeless and poverty stricken adults and children are thriving all over the world. Their numbers have augmented over the years and will continue to escalate as thous... Read more

Satire on a Modest Proposal

1,248 words, approx. 5 pages

America is suffering greatly from gangs, drugs/crimes, stereotypes, and a dysfunctional cultural. It has also been plagued with lack of European alliances ever since their military campaigns in th... Read more

Why Jonathan Swift Wrote "A Modest Proposal"

2,233 words, approx. 8 pages

There are quite likely several reasons that Jonathan Swift wrote A Modest Proposal, and most of this had to do with what was going on in the country. The conditions in Ireland, and those of the Iri... Read more

Review of Jonathan Swift's Satire, "A Modest Proposal"

632 words, approx. 3 pages

In "A Modest Proposal," Swift offers an outrageous solution to Ireland's problem of the desperate conditions in the 1730's-perhaps the most farfetched solution ever been offered. Swift takes the... Read more

Why "A Modest Proposal" Is a Juvenalian Satire

754 words, approx. 3 pages

Jonathan Swift is a well known writer who is famous for his satires. In his life he has written many satires about Ireland which stem from his Irish heritage. A Juvenalian satire is a dark, bitter ... Read more

"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift

1,612 words, approx. 6 pages

A Truly Unmodest Proposal Satire is the use of wit, especially sarcasm, irony, and ridicule to criticize faults. Arguably the most renowned author of satire is Jonathan Swift, chiefly known for hi... Read more

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A Modest Proposal SummaryJonathan Swift