Comparing A Modest Proposal And The Rape Of The Lock

Satire is the use of humor or irony in order to raise critiques about people. Satire is found in many works of controversy or politics. Its uses are important because they point out the faults of a particular time and gives a voice to those who cannot openly express their views. Two works of literary merit which feature Satire are A Modest Proposal and The Rape of the Lock. The Rape of the Lock was written by Alexander Pope in 1712. The tale is based on an actual incident in which two families that fall into a dispute. Main character, Belinda, has a lock of her hair cut by the Baron. Beforehand she is warned, “Oh thoughtless mortals! Ever blind to fate too soon dejected, and too soon elate. Sudden, these honors shall be snatched away, And cursed forever this victorious day” (Pope 101-104). Pope uses this event of “horror” to poke fun at 18th century vanity. Additionally, many of the vanities mentioned within the piece are still prevalent within today’s society.
A Modest Proposal was written in 1729 by Johnathan Swift.
Swift was a clergyman therefore, his satirical works were shocking to the public. He is most well-known for his highly acclaimed piece, Gulliver’s Travels. A Modest Proposal is a pamphlet that features an idea to stop children from burdening their poor parents. The main point of the argument is that the children should be fattened up and sold into meat markets for rich land owners. The author states, “this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich” (Swift 625). Conveniently, the author did not have any children of his own and his wife is past
child-bearing. Many differences rise between A Modest Proposal and The Rape of the Lock. The first being that Swift’s work is written as an essay while Pope chose to write in poetry form. Also, Pope used witty Horatian satire and Swift wrote with the formal Juvenalian satire. Pope’s poem was a comedy that poked fun at society. Meanwhile, Swift’s essay had a serious tone and was focused on solving problems that occurred within society. However, the choice to satirize society is a similarity that both works have in common. Both pieces were written with the purpose to point out the flaws of their own respective society. Though the authors chose different satirical styles to express their purpose, both left an impact on society. Literature impacts society because it is everlasting. These works exist forever in history and are constant reminders of what should not be valued within society.