Wei Mei
Ms. Wilson
English IV - Brit Lit B
7 May 2013
A Deceiving Title
In Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal, elements of the neoclassical period were demonstrated with the use of allusion, didactic tone, and Juvenalian satire. Neoclassical literature is "Literature. of, pertaining to, or designating a style of poetry or prose, developed chiefly in the 17th and 18th centuries, rigidly adhering to canons of form that were derived mainly from classical antiquity, that were exemplified by decorum of style or diction, the three unities,etc., and that emphasized an impersonal expression of universal truths as shown in human actions, representing them" (Dictionary.com). Swift’s essay is anything but modest, his usage of verbal irony in the title makes his essay amusing and powerful. Swift’s solution for social and economical issues in A Modest Proposal is for the poor Irish families to sell their children to the rich as delicacies.
Allusion was utilized by Jonathan Swift to fault the Irish and English people for the poverty of Ireland. Swift states that if the infants are able to survive through the adolescent years, they would “leave their dear native country to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.”(Swft, 9-10) The Pretender being an allusion to James Francis Edward Stuart. Swift implies that the Irish people that emigrate have no sense of nationalism and James Stuart’s acceptance of these immigrants are the roots of the issues that plague Ireland.
"I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration that of the hundred and twenty thousand children already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one-fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle or swine" (Swift, 82-86) A didactic tone is shown by using raw statistics and facts to convey information and prove the effectiveness of Swift’s proposal. These facts also illustrate to the reader that Swift’s numbers provide him with a sense of authority and assurance which will in turn, grant the readers confidence to the potential of his proposal.
Swift’s essay display qualities of Juvenalian satire through the use of a harsh and exaggerated tone while promoting an idea that is seen by most, if not all, as absurd. Swift suggests that the solution to Ireland’s problems regarding hunger and poverty is that infants ” may at a year old be offered in sale to the persons of quality, and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fat for a good table.”(Swift, 89-93) Along with the suggestion of eating infants, Swift dehumanizes women and children by comparing them to livestock “twenty thousand [women] may be reserved for breed, whereof only one-fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle or swine”(Swift, 83-84) His reason for using Juvenalian satire is to attack the Irish way of life and mock the incompetence of the Irish nation.
Through the usage of allusion, didactic tone, and Juvenalian satire, Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal is an archetypal piece of neoclassical literature. At first look, this essay would seem to be themed around economic inequalities. As the reader develops a better understanding for the essay, cultural arrogance is a theme that becomes apparent as Swift mocks the way how the Irish and English are leading Ireland to its demise.
Definitely don't start out your paper with your thesis being the very first line. If anything, place your definition before the thesis and set the stage rather than blatantly stating the thesis straight out. Your definition also might be just a tad bit too long.
ReplyDelete"Allusion was utilized by Jonathan Swift": always talk about a piece of literature in the present tense rather than the past.
"(Swft, 9-10): Swift*, also does it need a comma in between?
" display qualities": displays*
You may want to answer the question of WHY he mocks the "way how the Irish and English are leading Ireland to its demise". What point is he trying to prove? Is he out to criticize Ireland and its people or does have a hidden motive or a purpose to writing the passage.
Apart from that I liked the essay, it was fluid and got the point across. I think you could have expanded the second point of your thesis just a little bit more to drive the point home. Everything else was great!
Definitely move the thesis towards the end of your intro
ReplyDeletetry to relate more to the neoclassical period itself
very good otherwise
I think you should have your thesis statement later on in your introduction paragraph.
ReplyDeleteYou should probably add a works cited and add the website you used in your first paragraph.
I feel like you could have elaborated more upon how each of the techniques Swift used help to create the meaning of his writing.