A Modest Proposal

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the essay over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. In his satirical essay, Swift uses the voice of the narrator to convey a message far different from his own beliefs. Compare and contrast the beliefs of Swift to those of his narrator.

• What writing technique(s) does Swift use to get his true point across? (topic sentence)
• Cite 3 details to exemplify your ideas.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate the effectiveness of Swift’s writing technique(s). What reaction from readers does Swift seek from 18th-century audiences, and what might lead him to success?

2. Swift uses this essay to highlight the Dehumanizing Attitudes that many wealthy people felt towards those experiencing poverty.

• Based on the text, what is the overall feeling that wealthy people had towards poorer classes? (topic sentence)
• Within the narrator’s “modest proposal,” identify 3 examples in which he suggests dehumanizing actions toward impoverished people.
• In your concluding sentence, what can be inferred about the narrator’s own social class based on his opinions?

3. In addition to the direct proposal, the narrator makes several allusions to the Political and Religious Tensions in Early 18th-Century Ireland.

• Generally, what are the political and religious tensions referenced by the narrator? (topic sentence)
• Cite 3 textual examples where the narrator implies political and/or religious tensions.
• Based on his tone, what can be inferred about the narrator’s personal political and religious beliefs? Summarize your thoughts in your concluding sentence or sentences.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. While never directly addressed, the narrator alludes several times to the differences in religion between the Irish and the English. What are the differences in religion between these two parties? How does the difference in religion fuel the “modest proposal” made by the narrator?

2. Discuss 3 literary devices Swift uses in his satire. How does each device help to communicate Swift’s sincere beliefs on the matter of poverty in Ireland, even as his narrator actively contradicts them?

3. How does gender play a role in the narrator’s proposal? Does he treat the genders equally between the social classes? Consider how his use of language regarding gender contextualizes his argument within his historical era.