I'm sure your first reaction will be 'What the --?' Good. I mean, you shouldn't take this literally. This is irony, people. Get used to it. Great satire is ironic.
I want you all to check out this brief Irish history (particularly the early 1700's). Why was this written? What were Swift's intentions? Keep in mind, he's Irish.
A Modest Proposal is a masterpiece for two reasons: 1) You'll recognize the humor in it (the irony) and you'll laugh at the joke. 2) You'll be deceived by it. You'll go along with what the speaker is saying because it, well, it's making sense. How do we solve the problem of overpopulation in Ireland and starvation in Ireland? By eating its excess--the children.
There is a section where Swift isn't being ironic. Where is it? And why does he choose to do this? What's happening in this section?
What do you make of the ending?
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