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A Modest Proposal Background

A Modest Proposal Background. 1700: Ireland completely dominated by England Seemed like a conquered territory Laws governing Ireland came from the English Parliament The English strangled Ireland economically restricting Irish trade and agriculture few jobs were available

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A Modest Proposal Background

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  1. A Modest Proposal Background • 1700: Ireland completely dominated by England • Seemed like a conquered territory • Laws governing Ireland came from the English Parliament • The English strangled Ireland economically • restricting Irish trade and agriculture • few jobs were available • life was harsh for Ireland’s poor

  2. A Modest Proposal Background • Crops failed in Ireland—led to starvation • Religious and class divisions fostered by the English • Ireland had political and economic woes • Majority of Irish were Roman Catholics • could not own land • had to pay high rents • landowners and officeholders were Irish Anglicans

  3. Questions • What was your first reaction to the proposal offered in this essay? • What can you conclude was Swift’s purpose in suggesting such a horrible solution? • What response do you think Swift hoped to get from readers of “A Modest Proposal”? • Go back through the essay and find at least two places where you think Swift’s satire is particularly powerful. Explain your choices.

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