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Jonathan Swift's title is sarcastic, because "The Modest Proposal" is a satire of the conditions facing lower-class people in Ireland at the time it was written. His suggestion of eating children is outrageous; it is called "modest" sarcastically because the satire is meant to draw attention to the problem in Ireland through irony and exaggerations and understatements.

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The title of "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift is ironic. The proposal in the essay suggests a drastic and outrageous solution to poverty and famine by advocating for the selling of children as food. The use of "modest" in the title is intended to highlight the absurdity of the proposal.

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Q: Why is the modest proposal called modest?
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When was A Modest Proposal created?

"A Modest Proposal" was written by Jonathan Swift in 1729.


What is the significance the title of A Modest Proposal?

The title "A Modest Proposal" is ironic because the proposal in the essay is far from modest - it suggests using Irish babies for food. The use of the word "modest" serves to satirize the English treatment of Ireland and highlight the extreme solutions being proposed.


In A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift what problem does the speaker describe in the opening paragraphs of A Modest Proposal?

In the opening paragraphs of "A Modest Proposal," the speaker describes the dire poverty and overpopulation in Ireland, particularly among the Catholic families. He suggests that the surplus population of impoverished children could be a burden on society.


In a Modest proposal what are three advantages Jonathan Swift claims for his proposal?

Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" suggests that his proposal can reduce the number of poor families burdened by children, provide economic benefits by selling babies as a commodity, and alleviate overpopulation and the strain on resources in Ireland.


In A Modest Proposal the proposal itself is?

In "A Modest Proposal," the proposal is to solve poverty and overpopulation by selling the children of poor families as food for the wealthy. This satirical essay by Jonathan Swift criticizes the British government's neglect of Ireland and highlights the dehumanizing effects of poverty.