By Jonathan Swift Alliteration Supposing that one thousand families in this city would be constant customers for infants flesh besides others who might have it at merry meetings particularly at weddings and christenings ID: 466789
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A MODEST PROPOSAL
By: Jonathan SwiftSlide2
Alliteration
“Supposing that one thousand families in this city, would be
constant customers
for infants flesh, besides others who might have it at merry meetings
, particularly at weddings and christenings.”
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Alliteration
The repetition of the two ‘c’s and the two ‘m’s in this sentence are examples of the literary device alliteration. This device highlights the outrageous nature of the suggestion to serve infant flesh at celebrations.
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Anaphora
“Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloathes, nor houshold furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: Of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity, idleness, and gaming in our women.”
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Anaphora
Swift repeatedly uses the word “of” at the beginning of his phrases in order to emphasise the importance of his ideas. It also makes the idea more memorable.
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Anecdote
“It is a melancholy object to those who walk through this great town or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads, and cabin doors, crowded with female beggars, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers, instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants: who as they grow up either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.”
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Anecdote
Swift describes a short tale of what people may see while walking the streets of Ireland. This gives background on the problem he is addressing and why it has to be fixed. It is an intro to his “Modest Proposal”. He describes a poor woman with many children which will lead into him explaining how we can fix the woman’s money and family situation.
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Aphorism
“'till he hath at least some glimpse of hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice.”
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Aphorism
This is a short phrase that's meant to illustrate a common belief. It makes the whole argument seem like it's for the greater good. It can also act as something that will stick in the reader's head. Because it goes along with a common belief, the reader will remember and agree with the fact that author is saying.
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Metaphor
“It is true, a child just dropt from its dam may be supported by her milk, for a solar year, with little other nourishment.”
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Metaphor
The word dam is used to describe a female parent of an animal. This phrase typically describes something an animal just gave birth to. By using this phrase to describe the children in the story, Jonathan Swift is clearly comparing the Irish children to animals. Also indicating that the English are treating them like animals.
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Irony
“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.”
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Irony
Swift is saying that the landowners would like to devour children just as they devour people by taking their money. This is ironic because he knows very well they would not eat babies, nor would most people . He is saying the opposite of the truth to make a point. He is also using irony to show a connection between taking people's babies, and taking their money.
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Irony
“I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection.”
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Irony
The whole proposal is a sarcastic view on the poverty in Ireland. He says it’s “humble” and how he hopes that no one will disagree, but he knows what he’s about to propose is outrageous.
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Simile
“Men would become as fond of their wives during the time of their pregnancy as they are now of their mares in foal.”
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Simile
Swift is saying that a man’s feelings for his pregnant wife are like his feelings for his pregnant horse. He compares these two things because of the negative connotation it has, and creates an image in the reader’s mind.
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Parallelism
“Men would become as fond of their wives… as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf, their sows when they are ready to farrow, nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage.”
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Parallelism
In this sentence, Swift uses parallel structures in the adjectival phrases. He ironically compares women to horses, cows and pigs. He does this to ridicule the idea of men viewing their wives merely as breeders of infants to be served at the table.
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For a small donation of just 50 cents a day, you can help these poor Irish children not be eaten by rich Englishmen.