Diction In A Modest Proposal

1. The persona in which Swift adopts for the modest proposal is that of someone concerned for the greater good of the land, Ireland, on the very outskirt of reading. Although as one dives into this proposal, they become bombarded with irrational means of dealing with this assumed problem; the plentiful source of beggars in Ireland. One becomes consumed with disgust yet intrigued by its soundness in reasoning. Swift creates a tone that juxtaposes its message, which further confuses the reader in his irrational yet balanced argument. On one hand he seems psychotic, on the other he appears to be a profound visionary.
2. Swift chooses an intensified, yet “weakened” diction. I say this because he uses words that passively dehumanize poor children, in a literal sense, but if you let it, it can pass right over your head. His diction alone would leave the reader to convey a sense of insanity, but coupled with his calm demeanor and tone, the reader is left to listen to his reasoning,
3.
By introducing the anticipated results of the modest proposal before the actual modest proposal itself, reels in the reader and establishes a foundation of conviction for what is to come next, however crazy it may be.
4. Swift digs into the skin of the reader by confirming the idea of the dehumanization of these children as a source of food. This is achieved through the excess metaphors and similies of children to food.
5. Swifts’ most nonclassical appeal is to beggar mothers and how they can profit from this proposal.
6. The rhetorical strategy used in paragraph 17 is the strategy of qualifying. He is agreeing that not all children will be suitable for this economic venture and that he is not trying to completely eradicate this population, for it would be “cruel” in the eyes of the public. He once again succeeds in lessening the impact of his proposal by justifying it.
7.
a. Retain protestants in Ireland, rather than let Catholics