Question of the Week Nov. 19

Satire is a powerful communication tool. In Swift's Modest Proposal, he uses satire to show true problems in Irish society; poverty, overcrowding, and ill-taken care of children. By proposing a horrid satirical solution to these problems, Swift is drawing attention to the problems themselves and causing people to think about real solutions that could be applied. Satire is a tool that has been used for years to poke fun, draw attention, and induce certain feelings in readers that provoke a proactive response. It is effective in political situations, general news situations, and national problems, such as Ireland's poverty.