english modest proposal questions

What rhetorical appeal does Swift use in his description of mothers begging

with children “all in rags”? How does this appeal connect to his audience’s beliefs

or values?

Swift uses pathos (emotion) by describing starving mothers and ragged children. This makes the reader feel pity and worry. It also connects to the audience’s belief that poor, neglected children could grow up to cause problems in society. Starting this way gets readers emotionally involved before he shocks them later

How does Swift establish ethos before introducing his shocking solution?

Swift builds ethos (credibility) by acting like a calm, serious problem-solver who has carefully considered other solutions. His educated tone matches what his audience respects. This makes them trust him—right before he reveals something outrageous.

Identify Swift’s main claim in these paragraphs. How does he use evidence to

support it?

Swift’s main claim here is that there are far too many poor children in Ireland, and the country cannot support them. He backs this up with numbers and logical explanations. Using statistics makes his argument seem realistic and helps set up his dark “solution.”

How does Swift’s shocking proposal function rhetorically? What does it reveal

about his audience?

Swift shocks the reader on purpose. His crazy idea—eating children—shows how heartless it is when people think only about money and not about humans. The proposal exposes the audience’s tendency to value economic efficiency more than compassion

How does Swift’s tone affect his credibility?

Swift keeps a calm, cookbook-like tone while talking about cooking children. This fake seriousness makes fun of real politicians who talk about people like they’re numbers. The strange tone makes the audience question the morality of real political decisions.Swift’s credibility, paradoxically, grows stronger as a moral critic because of his

biting satire.

How do these paragraphs shift Swift’s argument, and what is the significance

for his credibility?

Swift shifts from satire to sincerity, briefly listing genuine reforms such

as taxing absentee landlords, encouraging local trade, and valuing patriotism over

luxury. Though he rejects them in the essay’s voice, the audience recognizes these

as reasonable, humane solutions. This shift enhances Swift’s credibility as a

serious moral commentator: his outrageous “proposal” was never real, but a

satirical mirror reflecting the cruelty of England’s policies.

What is the overarching thesis of the essay? How does the structure of the

argument support it?

Swift’s big argument is that England and Irish leaders treat the poor like objects instead of people. He structures the essay like a logical economic argument—problem, stats, proposal, objections—to highlight how cold and cruel this way of thinking is.