Read Jonathan Swift’s "A Modest Proposal". Then choose one question from below to answer in the comments in depth. Finally, respond to someone else in a well-developed response. All of these questions require deep thought. Be sure that your paragraph response is well-developed enough. We are practicing analysis here.
1. How does Swift want the reader to view the speaker? What features best describe the “persona” he adopts?
2. Note Swift’s diction in the opening paragraphs. IDENTIFY examples of influential diction or charged/loaded words. EXPLAIN their purpose.
3. Swift’s speaker explains the anticipated results BEFORE revealing the actual proposal. Explain the rhetorical purpose of such a strategy.
4. For each of the classic appeals (ETHOS. LOGOS, PATHOS), indicate two examples from the first 4 paragraphs. Which one is the speaker’s primary appeal? WHY do you think this?
5. Taking careful note of the diction of paragraph 12, with words such as “dear” and “devoured,” explain the rhetorical strategy at work.
6. At the end of paragraphs 3 and 32 may be seen as breaks from Swift’s ironic voice. Explain how that may be the case, and IDENTIFY ONE other place where Swift’s voice breaks through that of his persona.
7. Read paragraphs 1-6 of Swift’s satire. Drawing from this section, write a paragraph in which you explain how Swift’s ironic persona uses rhetorical strategies to prepare the reader for his proposal.