Question
Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."
I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him.
One aspect of satire evident in this excerpt is
understatement, because the author truly believes that his plan is worthwhile.
verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.
verbal irony, because the author wants others to see his point of view.
understatement, because the author does not think others will agree with him.
I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him.
One aspect of satire evident in this excerpt is
understatement, because the author truly believes that his plan is worthwhile.
verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.
verbal irony, because the author wants others to see his point of view.
understatement, because the author does not think others will agree with him.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The aspect of satire evident in this excerpt is **verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.** In "A Modest Proposal," Jonathan Swift uses hyperbolic and satirical language to criticize the attitudes toward the poor and the British policies affecting Ireland, indicating that he does not genuinely support the horrific suggestion he makes.