Rhetorical Analysis Of A Modest Proposal, By Jonathan Swift

“I perceived in this moment that when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys.”(Orwell) All of the writes of rhetorical papers weather it be Thomas Jefferson; with The Declaration of Independence, Jonathan Swift; with A Modest Proposal, or George Orwell; with On Shooting an Elephant. They all talked about different ways to handle situations and go about running government. In Orwell’s On Shooting an Elephant Orwell was writing about imperialism and how it was changing him as a person. Showing how bad it can be. In A Modest Proposal Swift’s purpose was to show how poorly the British government was treating the poor Irishmen. Even though it was morbid thought. In The Declaration of Independence Jefferson purpose is to

Swift in other words was proving that the Rich English had no care or worry for the poor Irish. Swift uses satire by proposing a very morbid thing, try to persuade his audience that it would be for the better good if they ate babies. Swift suggest that the children be fattened up. “I have reckoned upon a medium that child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nursed, increaseth to 28 pounds.” (Swift) By saying this it puts a vivid image into the readers mind. Of this plump innocent child, that you are about to take home to kill and

Swift says, “the skin which artificially dressed will make admirable gloves for ladies and summer boots for fine gentlemen.”(Swift) He uses extravagant word his sarcastic remarks. In a way making fun of the British for their, “Classy” attire. Such as ‘Fine’ and ‘Admirable’.

Throughout Swift’s writing he greatly uses pathos. One instant where he does this is when he writes “ ...beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags...” (Swift) You could compare that to seeing a family on the side of the road. It’s like a car crash, it could be horrible but you can help but look. For Swift, this is just what he wanted to get across. When the English read it, he want’s it to create such a strong visual. That it will make them want to do something for them.

Swift’s main goal is to make not only the British realizing, but everyone the wrong doings of the British people. But, he doesn’t go about it in an attacking way. Just lightly pointing it out, and someone who just skimmed over the piece would only notice. The terrifying way Swift was approaching to take care of the “Problem” in the eyes of the