Question

Read this excerpt from Jonathan Swift’s /A Modest Proposal/.

“… men would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their

pregnancy, as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf,

or sows when they are ready to farrow, nor offer to beat or kick them

(as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage.”


What point is Swift making with this demeaning analogy?


* that the poor should be given employment on farms

* that the poor are in a position to overthrow the well-off

* that the wealthy should take care to never become poor

* that the well-off have less regard for the poor than for livestock

Answer 1

Answer: that the well-off have less regard for the poor than for livestock.

In this excerpt, Jonathan Swift argues that men have little concern for pregnant women of low classes, because the well-off have no regard for the poor. He exaggerates this point by comparing the women to livestock. He argues that a man would never kick or beat a pregnant mare or a cow for fear of miscarriage, and that perhaps women could at some point become valued enough to not be kicked when pregnant. The analogy implies that women are considered less important than livestock.

Answer 2

* that the well-off have less regard for the poor than for livestock

In the excerpt the way the men treat a pregnant woman is compared to how they treat pregnant livestock. It says that they wouldn't beat or kick them so as not to risk a miscarriage. This analogy shows that the poor are often seen as similar to animals in the way they are treated.