A Modest Proposal
By Jonathan Swift
- Release Date: 1984-01-01
- Genre: Fiction & Literature
Description
A Modest Proposal, is a Juvenalian satirical essay. Swift suggests that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling their children as food for rich gentlemen and ladies. This satirical hyperbole mocks heartless attitudes towards the poor, as well as Irish policy in general.
Reviews
The ultimate dead baby joke
5By a brick with a personalityA compelling argumentoh my.
5By AlondraPGave me the chills. Wonder what the public response to this was like.The Original Satirist
5By Sma3inA great and funny little essay.A Modest Proposal
1By HatinReadinI HATE READING!Classic. Brilliant. Dark. Hilarious.
5By TheNthMousePerhaps the quintessential Jonathan Swift. The language is only slightly archaic. A must-read for even the more poorly read individual. Perhaps sadly, a classic satire whose timeliness persists to the modern day (A.D. 2016). A short read as well. Those whose stomachs turn easily may prefer to avoid this material (comparable to "Sweeney Todd"), but I recommend it to be read instead. In part, to fortify one's constitution, and also because the basic principles expressed herein are too important for one's stomach to get the better of one's mind.Spectacular.
5By Emma8432Swift has such a concise but still descriptive style of writing. His sarcasm is caustic, yet still he presents his argument "civilly."Short but fun
5By AHsu42388I enjoy a nice, short read. This short, opinion-based literature was certainly worth my time. Its satirical nature is a tad undetectable for the unaware, as the author is quite convincing with not only logic but also with the manner in which he presented. I would definitely recommend this quick read, whether you're on a plane or car ride, or stalling before bedtime, or anywhere else you have some free time.Interesting
4By Astley MartinHad a teacher tell me about this book. Thought I'd look it up. As my title states, it's... interesting, for lack of another word.I don't know what to say....
1By Nabla!This guys is absolutely crazy. I wonder how much people he ate and how much he convinced to eat children with this book.Nice!
5By AmericanIdiot1997This is a very interesting piece of literature. I enjoyed it.Swift is hard to beat
5By Dire WolfThe more dismal and repressive the existence, the more biting and outrageous the satire, and when it comes to biting satire and social commentary, Swift is one of the very best.Satire at its finest!
5By Ed's thingI'm not much of a reader, however, I am thoroughly amused and intrigued by this essay. Swift has an incredible and creatively genius mind to be able to come up with an idea as outlandish yet convincing argument as this one. I ah first read this in high school and loved every ounce of the content. Years later I still respect the creativeness and uniqueness of his writing. I recommend this to anyone with a sense of humor and wit.Not for sensitive people!
5By Def.notalexThis book is satire at its best! With a sick twist and a dark and vulgar mood throughout. I loved it. -Some may find offensiveBoring and creepy
1By dubutofutmI find anything I'm forced to read the worst books ever invented.Perspective altering
5By vermouth19I first was assigned this story in college many years ago. (We were to write a criticism/rebuttal) This book has, however, "modestly" changed my life and perspective. You tend not to look at things the same way after carefully reading this satire. It's one of those stories, however offensive it remains, that has a tendency to help with the daily 'grain of salt' needed to navigate our ever crazier world. If you have the stomach, and realize the time in which it was written and what the point of it was from the author's perspective, it is indeed worth reading and discussing.Ageless
4By Addixon44Amazing how this proposal still applies in 2012.Not the full book
1By Yo mamasssOnly could read the sampleMeta-criticism at its finest.
5By dxphotoThis Essay is genius, hilarious and very entertaining. Reading it makes you go "Is this guy serious?" but when he talks about how it is much better than Merchant's Scams or having so many poor people, you realize his social commentary and can do nothing but love this Modest Proposal.Human consumption
5By The porkerThis book opened my eyes to how formidable i am to the succulent taste of a new born babe, right out of the over. Yummy...yummy.
