"A Modest Proposal" Lit Devices

Verbal Irony

Verbal Irony

saying one thing and meaning the other
Examples →
"Always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes." → This is verbal Irony because Swift does not actually want them to eat children because that would be morally wrong.

"I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I
hope will not be liable to the least objection." → People should object— Swift WANTS people to object.

Sarcasm

Verbal irony made in a sharp or derisive manner with the intent of stinging.
Examples →
"There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard
children, alas!"


"ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day
think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old."

Satire

A kind of writing that holds up to ridicule the weaknesses and wrongdoings of individuals, groups, or institutions in hopes of instigating reform.
Examples →
" Men would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf, or sow when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage." → shows there are other problems that derive from poverty

Pun

The use of a word or phrase to suggest two or more meanings at the same time.
Examples →
"I grant this food will be somewhat dear." → Further material to make the audience more upset.

Hyperbole

Using exaggeration or overstatement for special effect.
Examples →
"one male will be sufficient to serve four females" → This is hyperbole because one man cannot actually pay for four females. In this time period people are already struggling to live with one female, it is ludicrous that a man could afford four

Understatement

A type of verbal irony meant to trivialize or diminish a subject for a certain effect.
Examples →
"I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I
hope will not be liable to the least objection." → This is not humble at all.
People should think this is cruel. Come up with a better solution, Ireland.

"it is not improbable that some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice (although indeed very unjustly), as little bordering upon cruelty..." → understatement to see only contentious people will think this is cruel.

logical appeal

Supports a fact or idea using logical evidence such as statistics, facts and expert testimony. (Logos)
Examples →
"in his time, the body of a plump girl of fifteen, who was crucified for an attempt to poison the Emperor, was sold to his imperial majesty's prime minister of state, and other great mandarins of the court in joints from the gibbet, at four hundred crowns."

emotional appeal

Arouses strong feelings often by using loaded language. (Pathos)
Examples →
"although I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs."

"when they see the streets, the roads and cabin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms".

ethical appeal

Establishes a writer's credibility, qualifications and objectivity. (ethos)
Examples →
"I have no children, by which I can
propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing." → The speaker is showing you he can't benefit from the plan so it must be a good one.

Overarching metaphor

the rich are eating the poor