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Transcript

Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal"

Exploring Morality and Justice

Why Do I Care?

Satire is relevant to our lives because it a common tactic frequently used by good writers to open people’s minds to new ideas through the use of humor. Satires are effective strategies that are used when evoking change or advocating for improvement in society. Satires also successfully draw the public’s attention to issues prevalent in our world. Without satire, humanity would be limited in the ways they can view common world problems.

• Education and Training Cluster

• School districts must design their curricula to provide a well-rounded education for students by fostering artistic creativity, critical thinking, and self-discipline through the teaching of academic content, knowledge, and skills that students will use in the workplace, further education, and life.

Learning Objective

Analyze and distinguish between what is actually stated in a "A Modest Proposal" verses the underlying meaning the author is conveying to the audience and be able to apply our knowledge of the text to participate in meaningful group discussions.

Essential Questions

  • How do we determine if a writer is being satirical or literal?

  • Where do we draw the line between what is right and what is wrong, and how do our personal morals affect what we choose to write about?

Be A Satirist!

"A Modest Proposal"

Warm Up Activity: "Heinz Dilemma"

Heinz’s wife was dying from a particular type of cancer. Doctors said a new drug might save her. The drug had been discovered by a local chemist and Heinz tried desperately to buy some, but the chemist was charging ten times the money it cost to make the drug, and this was much more than Heinz could afford. Heinz could only raise half the money, even after help from family and friends. He explained to the chemist that his wife was dying and asked if he could have the drug cheaper or pay the rest of the money later. The chemist refused saying that he had discovered the drug and was going to make money from it. The husband was desperate to save his wife, so later that night he broke into the chemist’s laboratory and stole the drug.

"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..."

  • Split into groups of three.
  • Each group come up with your own modern day issue/problem.
  • Develop a satirical solution to the problem.
  • Present solutions to the class.
  • Should Heinz have stolen the drug?
  • Should Heinz go to jail for stealing the drug?
  • Do rights and privileges differ between the wealthy and the poor?

What is a Satire?

  • Makes fun of someone or something important
  • Politics, Notion, Celebrities
  • Something meant to make fun of and show the weaknesses of human nature or a particular person
  • Used to criticize or evoke change

Background Information

Dublin

"Beyond the Pale"

Set in Ireland

  • Irish considered barbaric
  • Irish refused to convert
  • Oliver Cromwell ruler during Interregnum
  • England enslaves Irish

  • Swift was Protestant
  • Both English and Irish
  • Written in response to how the Irish were being treated by the English.

Jonathan Swift

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