Question

read the excerpt from a modest proposal. a very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues i highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. he said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supplyd by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so great a number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and service. which statement best describes swifts use of rhetorical devices in this excerpt? swift uses a false premise when he says that people of the kingdom are in want of venison. swift uses irony when he says so great a number of both sexes are in desperate need of work and service. swift uses irony when he says the person with whom he discussed his plan is very worthy and a true lover of this country. swift uses a false premise when he says the gentlemen of the kingdom have destroyed their deer.

Explanation:

In "A Modest Proposal", Swift is known for his use of irony. He presents a seemingly - serious and logical argument that is actually absurd to highlight social issues. Calling the person who suggested the inhumane idea "very worthy" and "a true lover of his country" is clearly ironic as the idea is immoral.

Answer:

Swift uses irony when he says the person with whom he discussed his plan is "very worthy" and "a true lover of this country."