Treasury of 5 shorter works by the author of Gulliver's Travels offers ample evidence of the great satirist's inspired lampoonery. Title piece plus...
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Dec 16, 2009
Ori
rated it: 
I originally had two shelves:
books that make me want to have children so I can read to them
and
books that make me want to have children so I can eat them
But really this is the only one that would fall in the latter category.
This is one of the greatest pieces of satire ever written, but seriously, have you ever noticed that babies really do taste better? Think about it. Veal, lamb, kittens. I could go on.
books that make me want to have children so I can read to them
and
books that make me want to have children so I can eat them
But really this is the only one that would fall in the latter category.
This is one of the greatest pieces of satire ever written, but seriously, have you ever noticed that babies really do taste better? Think about it. Veal, lamb, kittens. I could go on.
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Dec 13, 2007
Nicky
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A Modest Proposal and Other Satirical Works contains five essays by Swift. A Modest Proposal focuses upon politics, Battle of the Books upon literature and philosophy, and the remaining three address religious belief and practice.
A Modest Proposal is easily the most famous of Swift's essays, and as such most people are aware of its premise. It is incredibly witty, brief, and poignant. A fine satire.
To appreciate Battle of the Books requires a fair amount of understand More...
A Modest Proposal is easily the most famous of Swift's essays, and as such most people are aware of its premise. It is incredibly witty, brief, and poignant. A fine satire.
To appreciate Battle of the Books requires a fair amount of understand More...
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Nov 22, 2008
Jessica Frank
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Swift's satire, A Modest Proposal, was not well-known or well-read in his life. Of course, given the nature of the piece--the desperate need for change in Ireland--lack of recognition was difficult.
I have read and taught this many times. Most students don't understand the depths of the satire or the excellent argument structure presented in this essay.
Swift's ability to develop his argument in the way he has makes the piece an excellent read for anyone looking to understa More...
I have read and taught this many times. Most students don't understand the depths of the satire or the excellent argument structure presented in this essay.
Swift's ability to develop his argument in the way he has makes the piece an excellent read for anyone looking to understa More...
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Dec 27, 2009
Marts (Thinker)
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When one hears 'Swift', Gulliver's Travels usually comes to mind and that was an exceptional work of literature, so I think I'll experience him from a satirical angle.
Actually I ended up listening to this work (having acquired an audio version). Yes I admire Swift's irony in relation to every day situations, though it may seem a bit harsh, the method may at times be the only means of effectivly relating a message.
Actually I ended up listening to this work (having acquired an audio version). Yes I admire Swift's irony in relation to every day situations, though it may seem a bit harsh, the method may at times be the only means of effectivly relating a message.
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Dec 17, 2009
Erica
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This is one of my favorite satirical works of all time in which Swift proposes, to solve the problem of the poverty and starvation rampant in Ireland, that the poor Irish eat their own children to stave off hunger.
"I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equall More...
"I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equall More...
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Jul 22, 2010
Mark
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This is another book that I read to teach at Ursuline next year. Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is without a doubt one of the most intellectual and humorous pieces of satire ever written. Another satiric essay that I liked was "An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity in England". This was written earlier than "A Modest Proposal" but uses soome of the same devices. Swift's evidence shows how ending Christianity would bring political and economic benefits to
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Mar 16, 2009
J
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I'm reading that most people think this was a satire written to shake a finger at the British for standing idly by(or not idly, but actually preventing economic growth in Ireland with staunch import/export laws and citizenship laws that prevented the Irish from owning land,etc.) while the Irish starved. And while it's true that the English effectively starved an entire generation of poor Irish and invited the Plague and other diseases into the soggy country, I don't think the essay suggests tha
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Sep 23, 2007
Meg
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I was in high school when I first read this and once I got over the shock of the proposal I grew to appreciate the wit in the satire and the history behind the motivation and purpose of the author for writing it.
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Aug 28, 2007
Andrew
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Such original shocking humor and irony. A modest proposal made a lot of people angry when it was released into the high society of London while the Irish starved. I loved it.
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Mar 29, 2010
Angelia
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I adore Jonathan Swift, and "A Modest Proposal" is one of the many reasons why. The 'propsal' is anything but 'modest', which is what gives the satire such power. The lunacy of eating Irish babies to solve the "Irish Problem" is evident, but beneath it is the truth of the metaphorical cannibalism of the Irish by the English; and Swift is not going to stand idly by without commenting on the plight of his people. His wit is his weapon, and he weilds it unmercifully. While true
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Mar 05, 2008
matt
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"A Modest Proposal" is so fucking ridiculously contemporary that I can't help but be the one to say it for the millionth time. If you think things have gotten too raw and uncivilized in today's age, and that people were more well mannered in the olden days, you are....full O' SHITE!
I'm sure no one reading this actually does think this way but still...I love being able to add this bit of actual, factual info and not feeling the least bit bad about it because hi More...
Mar 30, 2009
Laura
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Russia has a surplus of stray dogs and cats running around its muddy and cracked sidewalks. And they are such hungry creatures! Inspired by Swift, I suggested a remedy to the problem--Why not clean the streets by capturing the poor souls and satisfy the hunger of the Russian people by savoring their flesh? But of course, my suggestion was not together a novel one for many have already put it into practice. (I mean the street vendors, primarily.)
May 10, 2011
Bibliophile
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Ireland=good. England= bad. Eating babies=bad. Being one of the greatest satirists of the English language, Swift does not hold anything back in this one. I have read this piece many times, and every time I discover something new in Swift’s prose. This is one of the best examples of manipulation of rhetoric, and it perfectly showcases how well Swift handles the language.
Oct 02, 2010
John
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Interesting enough. Not nearly as funny as something written by Dave Barry or Jon Stewart, but probably more insightful. Truck loads of dated references make this a pretty tough read, and I don't have a particularly good grasp of the historical context in which it was written; but it was still somewhat amusing in the way it presented some pretty serious food for thought.
Dec 03, 2010
Jayme
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A Modest Proposal was great. So were the rules for servants. Jonathan Swift is a master satirist. But a lot of the accompanying papers were snores--inside jokes, and even languages, with friends. So, 4 stars to the funny papers, and 2 stars to the boring letters, with an average of 3 stars.
Oct 06, 2010
Waleed
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Jonathan swift talks about a a politician who ruled in Ireland he is in love with a girl and he wrote her a proposal but she refused the part that I enjoyed is that when she refused he continued focusing on his work and accepted the fact that she doesn’t like him.
Nov 30, 2011
Diana
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I just read it in class. It's funny but I honestly have to say, he made it sound so practical, canibalism and all. All of our problems would be solved...back then, thank god. I liked it. It's REALLY short so...totally worth it!
Feb 24, 2011
Lorenzo
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Witty. Provoking. Macabre.
And unbelievably mistaken by some of his contemporary fellowmen.
"A Modest Proposal" is a masterpiece on how satire may be used for condemning human hypocrisy revealing the social issues unseen by the calculated blindness of many governors.
The anthropophagy solution for winning over poverty, unemployment, begging and constant starving in Ireland is expressed by Jonathan Swift in a cynical and unemotional way.
A way tha More...
And unbelievably mistaken by some of his contemporary fellowmen.
"A Modest Proposal" is a masterpiece on how satire may be used for condemning human hypocrisy revealing the social issues unseen by the calculated blindness of many governors.
The anthropophagy solution for winning over poverty, unemployment, begging and constant starving in Ireland is expressed by Jonathan Swift in a cynical and unemotional way.
A way tha More...
Apr 02, 2009
Also, Safety Math
rated it:
Obviously this gets five stars. I remember reading it in high school and actually being suspicious of how funny it was for a required reading and feeling like maybe I read it wrong or something.
Oct 17, 2011
Loren
rated it:
Condoning Cannibalism with a Social Benefit.
If you like that check out my take on it at
http://shadolrds.wordpress.com/2011/10/1...
If you like that check out my take on it at
http://shadolrds.wordpress.com/2011/10/1...
Jan 08, 2011
Rima
rated it:
how he can be so cynical, so deep, so playful, and so meaningful at the same time makes me admire him so much. And a Modest Proposal is him and his all cynical minds. Loved it. Completely.
Apr 27, 2011
Jennifer
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I do not understand by 18th century writers have to be so unbearably wordy. Jonathan Swift, though sometimes you are kind of funny, you always manage to kill the joke.
Jul 02, 2009
Steven
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It ain't good satire if some readers don't take it literally. Swift had half the countryside in Ireland freaking out about having babies for supper.
Nov 03, 2010
Wolfbane
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The best part: When people do not realize he Jonathan Swift is being satire. It is my goal to write with as perfect satire as Jonathan Swift.
Mar 20, 2010
Tricia
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Oh I love a good satire. I remember reading this in high school and having my mind blown open to a brand new genre I'd never read before. Lovely when that happens isn't it? I laughed so hard.
Nov 14, 2010
Louis
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Swift is a master at satire and A Modest Proposal is a brilliantly cutting commentary on the social welfare state and the aristocracy.
Dec 03, 2008
Julie at All Ears
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Humorous - great satire! Although I admit that I read this one to increase my % to goal on 1001 books to read before you die...
Jun 25, 2011
Colin
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A classic that is better praised than read. The one-sentence summary my mom gave me as a child told me all I needed to know.
Apr 23, 2009
James
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Read the book several years ago but recently found an audio version - it was great to revisit this classic...
Aug 15, 2011
Kirsten
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A Modest Proposal is amazing. The rest is still good, but this one has always been my favourite.
