Question

read the excerpt from a modest proposal. i have already computed the charge of nursing a beggars child (in which list i reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four - fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and i believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as i have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him. one aspect of satire evident in this excerpt is understatement, because the author truly believes that his plan is worthwhile. verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words. verbal irony, because the author wants others to see his point of view. understatement, because the author does not think others will agree with him.

Explanation:

In "A Modest Proposal", the author uses extreme and horrifying suggestions that he doesn't actually believe in, which is a form of verbal irony. Verbal irony occurs when the speaker says something but means the opposite. Here, the author is not seriously advocating cannibalism but using the absurd idea to make a point about social issues.

Answer:

B. verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.