Question

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal."

I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing.

Which statement best describes how irony is used in this excerpt?

Swift states that he is speaking from “the sincerity in [his] heart.”
Swift states that he has an interest in “the publick good of [his] country.”
Swift states that the youngest of his children is “nine years old.”
Swift states that his “wife is past child-bearing” age.

Answer 1

Swift states that he is speaking from “the sincerity in [his] heart.”

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Swift states that he has an interest in “the public good of [his] country.”

Step-by-step explanation:

This statement is the best example of irony. Irony occurs when the events included in the story are very different from those that the reader expected. In this case, if Swift cared about his country, the reader would expect him to suggest something altruistic, kind and uplifting for the people of the country. However, his suggestion of eating their children is ironic because it is very different from what would normally be expected.