Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."
This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individual Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloaths, nor houshold furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: . . . Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shop-keepers . . .
What is most likely the purpose of this excerpt?
- to shame the greedy people who have contributed to Ireland’s poverty instead of trying to help eradicate it
- to shame those who are trapped in Ireland’s cycle of poverty for refusing to work harder for better lives
- to show that other solutions to Ireland’s poverty are not as effective as the plan Swift puts forth in the proposal
- to show that the wealthy members of society have tried to remedy Ireland’s poverty in many different ways
I figured it out. The answer is A!