A modest proposal
"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift is a satirical masterpiece that employs biting wit and irony to address the pressing issue of poverty and overpopulation in 18th-century Ireland. Swift's proposal, presented in a straightforward and logical manner, suggests a shocking and absurd solution to the problem: the consumption of infants. As readers delve into this essay, they quickly realize that Swift's proposal is not to be taken seriously but is a scathing critique of British policies and their detrimental impact on Ireland. Swift adopts the persona of a rational economist to highlight the callousness of the British ruling class towards the impoverished Irish population. Swift's brilliant use of irony and satire forces readers to confront the harsh realities faced by the Irish under British rule. The essay serves as a scathing indictment of colonialism and the exploitation of the Irish people. "A Modest Proposal" is a timeless work of political satire that continues to be studied and admired for its sharp critique of social injustice. It challenges readers to think critically about the consequences of economic and political policies and the importance of empathy and compassion in addressing societal issues. Delve into the world of Swift's biting satire and discover the power of literature to provoke thought and ignite change. "A Modest Proposal" remains a compelling and thought-provoking piece that resonates with readers concerned with social justice and political commentary. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) was an Irish satirist, essayist, poet, and cleric, best known for his works that blend sharp wit with social commentary. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Swift is celebrated for his satirical writings, including "Gulliver's Travels," a biting critique of society and politics. Swift's writing style is characterized by his use of irony, humor, and allegory to criticize the shortcomings of the human condition and the follies of his era. "Gulliver's Travels" remains one of the most enduring and widely read satirical novels in English literature. In addition to his literary contributions, Swift was also a clergyman and served as Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. His multifaceted career and his ability to use humor as a tool for social commentary have cemented his place as one of the foremost satirists in literary history. Swift's legacy lives on through his timeless works, which continue to be studied and enjoyed for their insightful and entertaining critiques of society.
A Modest Proposal
Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant pieces of political satire ever published, "A Modest Proposal" is Jonathan Swift's merciless skewering of England's treatment of Ireland's impoverished population in the eighteenth century. Nearly 300 years after its release, this shocking and outrageous essay still packs a punch.
What Do We Need Men For?
As seen on the cover of New York Magazine, America's longest running advice columnist goes on the road to speak to women about hideous men and whether we need them. "Carroll's lively prose careens in constant pursuit of pleasure...indefatigably funny and full of life." –Lindsay Zoladz, The Ringer “Darkly humorous and deadly serious.” –Sibbie O'Sullivan, Washington Post “A compulsively interesting feminist memoir.” –Virginia Heffernan, Slate "Somehow hilarious, in the way that only E. Jean could have written it" –Leigh Haber, Oprah Magazine “Roving, curious, compassionate, whimsical.” –Megan Garber, The Atlantic When E. Jean Carroll—possibly the liveliest woman in the world and author of the “Ask E. Jean” advice column in Elle Magazine, realized that her eight million readers and question-writers all seemed to have one thing in common—problems caused by men—she hit the road. Crisscrossing the country with her blue-haired poodle, Lewis Carroll, E. Jean stopped in every town named after a woman between Eden, Vermont and Tallulah, Louisiana to ask women the crucial question: What Do We Need Men For? E. Jean gave her rollicking road trip a sly, stylish turn when she deepened the story, creating a list called “The Most Hideous Men of My Life,” and began to reflect on her own sometimes very dark history with the opposite sex. What advice would she have given to her past selves—as Miss Cheerleader USA and Miss Indiana University? Or as the fearless journalist, television host, and eventual advice columnist she became? E. Jean intertwines the stories of the fascinating people she meets on her road trip with her “horrible history with the male sex” (including mafia bosses, media titans, boyfriends, husbands, a serial killer, and a president), creating a decidedly dark yet hopeful, hilarious, and thrilling narrative. Her answer to the question What Do We Need Men For? will shock men and delight women.
The 100 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time
Beginning in 1611 with the King James Bible and ending in 2014 with Elizabeth Kolbert's 'The Sixth Extinction', this extraordinary voyage through the written treasures of our culture examines universally-acclaimed classics such as Pepys' 'Diaries', Charles Darwin's 'The Origin of Species', Stephen Hawking's 'A Brief History of Time' and a whole host of additional works --
A Modest Proposal in the Context of Swift’s Irish Tracts
Swift's A Modest Proposal has always aroused the interest not just of literary critics, but also of linguists and pragmatists. Within the latter approaches, the study of irony, and more concretely, the intentions and attitudes that must have guided the production of such an intricate work, have always been paramount. However, it seems that within pragmatics the analysis has been restricted so far to the 1729 work itself. In the present author's view, it is interesting to contextualise this masterpiece of irony and satire within Swift's wider writing on Ireland, an approach that remains to be carried out. Accordingly, this work sets out to analyse a selection of Swift’s Irish Tracts, with a view to tracing the evolution within Swift's literary production of his views and attitudes towards the situation of his homeland. Although different pragmatic approaches are applied, the emphasis is laid upon the contributions that the relevance-theoretical framework and its studies on irony may bring to the understanding of this particular Tract. The works selected are meant to cover and also be representative of the main phases currently distinguished within Swift's writing on the "Irish Question". It is therefore hoped that a deeper analysis of the former works by Swift on this topic will provide new insights for a better understanding of A Modest Proposal.
