Asked by Bob

How does the title, "A Modest Proposal," tell the reader that the piece is satirical?

The author’s proposal is gentle and acceptable, just as the title indicates.
The title shows that the author does not understand the truth about his proposal.
The author’s proposal is actually extreme and violent, not gentle as the title says.
The title shows that the author believes people will accept and understand his proposal.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
The correct choice is:
"The author’s proposal is actually extreme and violent, not gentle as the title says."

Explanation: Swift uses understatement and irony — calling a brutal, outrageous suggestion "modest" — to signal satire. The contrast between the mild title and the extreme proposal tells the reader the piece is meant to criticize and mock, not to be taken literally.