Perspectives
To understand better the essay “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift it is important for you to also have some knowledge of the historical and social context, of the way similar themes have been portrayed in other works, as well as of the text’s relevance today.
Historical and societal perspective
The text was published in the first half of the 18th century and targets social and political issues concerning Ireland and England. At that time, Ireland had been controlled by England for about 500 years, and in many respects was treated like a colony. The higher class was usually of English Protestant origins and it dominated the majority of the population who was Irish and Roman Catholic. Furthermore, Ireland had been denied union with England in 1707 which...
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Thematic perspective
For the theme of exploitation, you might find it interesting to also read the short story “The Gentlemen of the Jungle” by Jomo Kenyatta (Worlds of English, p. 170). The text is a fiction work which explores in a satirical manner the exploitation of African people by colonial powers.
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Relevance today
Today, “A Modest Proposal” is considered a rhetorical masterpiece and an iconic work for the genres of pamphlet and satire.
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