Question

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."

I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.

Why did Swift most likely deliver his proposal in a casual manner?

to highlight to the reader that the government would likely agree with his plan
to emphasize that he is serious about implementing his plan
to show the reader that his plan is reasonable and no cause for alarm
to grab the reader’s attention by using understatement to talk about brutal acts

Answer 1

to grab the reader’s attention by using understatement to talk about brutal acts

Swift’s deadpan, casual tone heightens the shock and dark humor of the proposal — the understatement makes the grotesque idea more jarring and satirical, exposing social and political hypocrisy.