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Research for Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”

Research Jonathan Swift:

During what time period did he live? Where did he live?

Jonathan Swift lived during the 17th-18th century, from 1667 – 1745. He lived in Dublin and Ireland.

What was his family’s socioeconomic status?

Jonathan Swift’s socioeconomic status was very poverty-stricken.

How did he view the English politics, specifically as it related to Ireland?

The restoration of the Catholic monarchy, which was a real threat during his lifetime, would, he feared, result in "Papist" absolutism; in the loss of the liberties, privileges, and freedoms which the English Constitution granted to Protestants

Research the relationship between England and Ireland during that time period.

What was the political system in Ireland at the time?
They lived under the king and had a Irish Parliament.

What were the different socioeconomic classes?
At the time of jonathan swift , there were rigid social classes ; slaves , free slaves, farmers, middling, gentry.

What were the living conditions for many Irish at the time?
Most Irish were agricultural peasants in the 1700's. They mostly spoke Gaelic.

How did the British view the Irish Catholics?
The British felt the Catholics were under them and because parliamentary faction favored trading with Great Britain , Irish Catholics weren’t allowed to join the Parliament.

How were the Irish Catholics treated?
Irish Catholics weren’t treated importantly as the Protestants , degrading them a lot.

Research the following literary devices: What is satire? Identify one specific use of satire that you are familiar with from TV, movie or literature.
A satire is a style of writing or art that uses irony or wit to expose or attack human foolishness, or stupidity. The Simpsons use satirical parody showing American culture, society, television, and many aspects of the human condition.

What is irony? Identify one example of irony that you recognize through your own experience.

A literary technique, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character. One example is caricatures artist used to make fun of the government.