Question

12 how does swift employ verbal irony in a modest proposal? support your answer with specific evidence from the text. cite the page and line number of your evidence. (6 points)

Explanation:

Swift uses verbal irony by advancing a horrific, absurd "solution" (eating Irish infants) while framing it as a reasonable, compassionate fix for poverty, the opposite of its actual cruel nature. For example, on page 2, lines 34-36, he writes, "I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled;" The irony lies in the calm, practical tone used to propose a morally repugnant act, highlighting the indifference of the wealthy and policymakers to Irish suffering.

Answer:

Swift employs verbal irony by presenting a grotesque, inhumane proposal (raising and eating Irish infants to solve poverty) as a logical, benevolent plan, using a detached, scholarly tone to emphasize the callousness of those ignoring Ireland's crisis. A key example is page 2, lines 34-36: "I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled;" The irony stems from the contrast between the polite, practical framing and the horrific core of the idea, exposing societal apathy.