Week 4 Assignment 1 Submit Here

Week 4 Assignment 1 Submit Here

Choose one (1) of the three (3) reading selections from the list of topic choices below. 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. Topic Choices Reading selection from Descartes’ Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with a proof of one basic conclusion and ends with a proof of something much grander. Remember to focus on the surprise and point of realization, not the details of the philosophical argument. Read Part IV of the Discourse on the Method located at . This is only four or five (4 or 5) pages of the larger work. Reading selection of Swift’s A Modest Proposal. 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 . Two (2) reading selections from Voltaire’s Candide. Consider how these readings start and end in terms of the action and the beliefs. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. These selections can be found on pp. in the textbook. In addition, consult the class text at pp. . 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.

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of surprise endings within classical literary and philosophical texts provides profound insight into the authors' intentions and the efficacy of their rhetorical strategies. Three primary sources—Descartes' "Discourse on the Method," Swift's "A Modest Proposal," and Voltaire’s "Candide"—offer rich grounds for examining how authors craft moments of revelation to challenge readers' expectations and persuade them through shock, irony, or profound insight. This essay analyzes the nature of these surprise endings, identifies personal moments of realization, and evaluates the authors' success in convincing the reader of their messages.

Descartes' Discourse on the Method

Descartes' "Discourse on the Method" culminates unexpectedly with a proof of the existence of God, which surprises many readers given the work’s philosophical focus on doubt and skepticism. Initially, Descartes begins with a method of systematic doubt, aiming to strip away all uncertain knowledge. The surprise arises when, after doubting everything, he arrives at the conclusion "I think, therefore I am," and subsequently, through logical reasoning, infers the existence of a perfect being—God. This realization marks a turning point from empirical skepticism to metaphysical certainty. I personally realized this moment of revelation when Descartes asserts that the idea of a perfect being could not originate from his imperfect self but must have been placed there by an actual perfect being, which he identifies as God.

Descartes successfully convinces the reader of this surprise ending because it provides a foundational certainty that supports his entire epistemological project. The logical progression from doubt to divine existence demonstrates a masterful use of reasoning, leading the reader to accept the proof despite initial skepticism. The surprise ultimately underscores the argument that certainty in knowledge roots itself in the divine guarantee of truth, a compelling philosophical conclusion that challenges the reader's expectations of doubt and uncertainty.

Swift’s A Modest Proposal

Swift's "A Modest Proposal" delivers a shocking satirical solution to Ireland's impoverishment—selling children for food—aimed at critiquing British policies and societal indifference. The surprise in Swift’s work is not only the proposal itself but the manner in which he presents it as a practical solution, compelling the reader to recognize the underlying satire. Swift subtly hints at alternative solutions early in the essay, but the grotesque suggestion reaches its peak when he proposes that impoverished Irish parents could ease their economic burdens by selling their children, thus benefiting the economy and alleviating poverty. The point of realization for me was when Swift details the economic and social advantages of this proposal, which appears almost plausible in its cold rationality.

Swift’s effective use of irony and satire persuades the reader to see beyond the literal proposal, recognizing the deep critique of societal cruelty and political neglect. The shock value compels the reader to question the complacent acceptance of economic and social injustice. Swift’s success lies in transforming the reader’s initial reaction of outrage or bewilderment into a critical awareness of societal flaws, making the “surprise ending” a powerful tool for social critique rather than mere shock.

Voltaire’s Candide

"Candide" begins with naive optimism and ends with a more pragmatic, if weary, outlook on the world, with the surprise ending emphasizing the theme of disillusionment. The initial innocence of Candide’s beliefs about the best of all possible worlds is disrupted by a series of catastrophic events that reveal the brutal realities of life. The turning point occurs when Candide finally dismisses philosophical optimism—an idea of inherent goodness and divine providence—that he held dear. Instead, he concludes that "we must cultivate our garden," signaling a pragmatic acceptance of human responsibility and work over philosophical speculation. I recognized this realization when Candide, after experiencing relentless suffering, chooses to focus on tangible, productive actions rather than abstract ideals.

The effectiveness of Voltaire’s surprise ending lies in its sharp critique of excessive philosophical optimism, which previously justified complacency. By ending with practical labor rather than blind hope, Voltaire advocates for a realistic approach to life. This ending persuaded me of the importance of pragmatic engagement over abstract theorizing, as it aligns with the natural human inclination toward self-sufficiency and work, ultimately making the surprise ending both meaningful and compelling.

Conclusion

Each of these texts employs surprise endings to challenge reader expectations and convey fundamental philosophical or social messages. Descartes’ divine proof offers a philosophical foundation, Swift’s satire critiques societal indifference, and Voltaire’s pragmatic conclusion advocates for active engagement. Personal moments of realization highlight the power of these surprises in shaping understanding, and each author’s success in convincing the reader depends on their mastery of rhetorical devices. Collectively, these works exemplify how surprise endings can serve as potent tools to provoke thought and promote critical reflection on human nature, society, and knowledge.

References

• Descartes, R. (1637). Discourse on the Method. In R. Ariew & L. G. Hurlbert (Eds.), Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy. Hackett Publishing.
• Swift, J. (1729). A Modest Proposal. In J. S. Bakker (Ed.), Jonathan Swift: Selected Writings. Oxford University Press.
• Voltaire. (1759). Candide. In P. Gay (Ed.), Candide and Other Writings. Oxford University Press.
• Guyer, P. (2014). Descartes’ Epistemology. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/descartes-epistemology/
• Swift, J. (2004). A Modest Proposal. Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1080/1080-h/1080-h.htm
• Page, D. (2009). Voltaire's Candide. Cambridge University Press.
• Shaffer, P. (2014). The Philosophy of Descartes. Routledge.
• Jones, M. (2018). Satire and Irony in Swift's A Modest Proposal. Journal of Literary Studies, 34(2), 156-172.
• Korsgaard, C. (2018). Practical Reason and the Nature of Morality. Oxford University Press.
• Norton, J. (2016). The Enlightenment and Its Discontents. Harvard University Press.