Question

But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging England.
–“A Modest Proposal,”
Jonathan Swift
How does Swift use satire in this passage to criticize society?
He suggests that people are foolish because they are unwilling to spend money to solve problems.
He shows that the people of Ireland would be better off listening to the English.
He suggests that people are so old-fashioned that they will not listen to new ideas.
He implies that the English care so little for the Irish people that they will not object to using Irish children for food.

Answer 1

Answer: He implies that the English care so little for the Irish people that they will not object to using Irish children for food.

Explanation: Swift uses savage irony and exaggeration—presenting a monstrous “practical” solution as reasonable—to expose English callousness and the callous, utilitarian attitudes of those in power toward the Irish. The line about incurring “no danger in disobliging England” signals that the narrator believes the English won’t object, which satirically criticizes their indifference and exploitation.