The Modest Proposal

The narrator of A Modest Proposal assumes the character of an

• American giving advice to politicians in England

• political planner devising strategies to conquer Ireland

• economic planner acting for the benefit of England and Ireland

• Irish Catholic who criticizes in the inefficiency of the British

The narrator claims to have no personal motive behind his proposal because he

• does not have a wife

• has all the money he could want

• does not own a tavern

• does not have any children to sell

What is the BEST reason for why "A Modest Proposal" is still interesting as a satire?

• Swift's solution is still shocking and relevant

• Most people are familiar with the history of Ireland

• There is still trouble between Protestants and Catholics

• Satire is still a valid form of protest.

The narrator claims to have no personal motive behind his proposal because...

• He is English and could not benefit from his proposal

• His wife is past childbearing age

• He lives in the country and doesn't own a farm

• He is not a landlord and does not wish to be rich

In A Modest Proposal, why did Swift say that his proposal for eating kids would be good for marriages?

• A smaller family means the spouses will pay more attention to each other.

• Children ruin marriages.

• Suffering would bring the spouses closer together.

• It brings in money and makes the husband see his pregnant wife as valuable.

What is NOT an advantage to his idea that Swift's narrator cites in A Modest Proposal?

• it will decrease sibling rivalry

• it will decrease voluntary abortions

• it will decrease population or Ireland

• it will decrease wife-beating

Which of the following items is not an advantage anticipated by the narrator of A Modest Proposal?

• His proposal will decrease the number of Papists.

• His proposal will decrease the number of beggars.

• His proposal will decrease the number of marriages.

• His proposal will decrease the number of poor people.

What is the primary issue addressed in 'A Modest Proposal' by Jonathan Swift?

• The economic downturn in Ireland

• The overpopulation of Ireland

• The burden of children of poor people on their parents and country

• The lack of education in Ireland

In A Modest Proposal, what social problem does Swift blame for widespread thievery in Ireland?

• Lack of jobs and the people therefore having to steal to survive

• Heavy pollution caused by decaying bodies

• The black plague was destroying people's minds

• A wickedness caused by reading stories about Satan

The author reveals that his solution is to

• Sell children off for labor

• Teach children about agriculture

• Take infants away from their mothers

• Breed, raise and eat infants as livestock