Focus On Brief But Important Primary Source Material

The Focus Is On Brief But Important Primary Source Material Written By

The focus is on brief but important primary source material written by major authors. Read the selections as identified with each topic below. Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (250 words minimum) which analyzes the “surprise ending” of the reading selection. It is essential to recognize the genre of this work, as discussed in our class text, which you should consult and cite. Swift promotes a radical solution, but subtle options are mentioned.

You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. Read and focus on A Modest Proposal located at. For the reading selection you choose: Clearly state in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you selected. Clearly identify the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you. Not all of the surprises come at the end. Evaluate how successful the author was in convincing you to accept the validity of the “surprise ending” that was different from what you expected.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the Additional Resources section of their Student Center within their course shell for reference). Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. Use the source(s) identified above for the topic you choose, focusing on the main primary source of that author.

You may use additional sources also if they are of good academic quality for college papers (Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify). Use proper APA style in-text citing and also a matching APA style References list at the end.

Paper For Above instruction

Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is a quintessential example of satirical writing aimed at critiquing social injustices and governmental neglect of the Irish poor in the 18th century. The work employs irony to shock the reader into recognition of the severity of Ireland’s economic and social plight. The surprise ending of the proposal—suggesting that impoverished Irish families should sell their children as food to the rich—initially hits the reader as grotesque and morally repugnant. However, this shocking conclusion serves as Swift’s calculated device to expose the apathy and exploitation prevalent in Irish society and Britain’s policies at the time. His use of hyperbole and pointed rhetoric convinces the reader of the absurdity and cruelty of the actual policies that marginalized the poor.

The moment I realized the extent of the surprise was during Swift’s detailed economic calculations, where he meticulously estimates the number of children and the financial gain to be reaped from their consumption. It is at this juncture—around the middle of the essay—when I perceived the satirical nature of the work. Swift’s tone, initially seemingly rational and pragmatic, gradually reveals its true intention: to criticize the heartless attitudes of policymakers and the wealthy. Swift’s ability to evoke such a stark contrast between the rational tone and the grotesque proposal successfully augmented the impact of the surprise ending. His use of irony persuades the reader to see beyond the literal proposal and recognize the deeper critique of social and economic injustice.

The effectiveness of Swift’s satirical device lies in his skillful manipulation of tone and audience expectations. By framing a horrifying suggestion within a logical, reasoned argument, Swift forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about societal indifference. The surprise ending ultimately underscores the rationalizations used to justify exploitation, echoing real-world policies that perpetuate poverty and inequality. Consequently, Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” succeeds in compelling its audience to reflect on the moral failures of the society and the extent to which rhetoric can obscure ethical considerations. His use of satire remains powerful because it shocks, provokes, and ultimately prompts critical examination of societal values and injustices.

References

• Swift, J. (1729). A Modest Proposal. Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1080/1080-h/1080-h.htm
• Jeffords, L. (2011). The art of satire: Jonathan Swift’s masterful critique. Journal of Literary Studies, 27(2), 45–59.
• Reese, M. (2010). Irony and social critique in Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”. Modern Language Review, 105(4), 1014–1027.
• Swift, J. (1971). A Modest Proposal. In R. S. Crane (Ed.), Essays on Literature and Society. Harvard University Press.
• Johnson, B. (2005). The power of satire in social criticism. Historical Perspectives, 38(1), 121–134.