A Modest Proposal

Worksheet Description

The worksheet provided is an educational resource centered on Jonathan Swift’s satirical essay, “A Modest Proposal.” Written in 1729, Swift’s essay addresses severe social issues of his time through extreme satirical suggestions. The worksheet directs students to read the essay and respond to specific prompts about it. The first question asks students to identify the societal problems that Swift describes in his work. The second question probes for Swift’s controversial solution to these problems, which is deliberately outrageous to highlight the gravity of the issues at hand.

The third question engages students to consider the advantages Swift outlines in adopting his proposal, while the fourth question prompts students to reflect on the target of Swift’s satire in the essay. This exercise is designed to develop critical reading and thinking skills, enabling students to grasp the use of satire to critique and draw attention to real-world issues. It serves as a gateway for discussing the effectiveness of satire as a literary device for social and political commentary.