Question

I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.

–“A Modest Proposal,”
Jonathan Swift

Which statement best summarizes the passage?

Swift criticizes parents for not paying their rent.
Swift criticizes landlords for exploiting families.
Swift criticizes merchants for charging too much for food.
Swift criticizes the government for not supporting families.

Answer 1

Swift criticizes landlords for exploiting families.

He satirically says landlords have “devoured” parents (exploited them economically), so they’d be the ones to claim the children — condemning landlords’ exploitation.