Question

In this excerpt from "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift, what is the narrator criticizing?

Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, 'till he hath at least some glympse of hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice.
But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging England. For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and flesh being of too tender a consistence, to admit a long continuance in salt, although perhaps I could name a country, which would be glad to eat up our whole nation without it.
a) The narrator is criticizing England for not engaging in diplomatic relations with Ireland.
b) The narrator is criticizing English colonial practices in Ireland.
c) The narrator is criticizing England for not taking more advantage of its power over Ireland.
d) The narrator is criticizing the trade and export policies that Ireland has with England.
e) The narrator is criticizing England for being completely inhuman with regard to other nations and their people.

Answer 1

In A Modest Proposal Jonathan Swift criticizes England government for being completely inhuman towards poor, especially in Ireland. The author satirically writes that in order to overcome poverty, the poor must sell their children for food. Swift criticizes the economic policies of England, although his essay is not a serious note on economics. The correct answer is E.

Answer 2

The excerpt from "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift, the narrator is criticizing England for being completely inhuman with regard to other nations and their people. The answer is letter E. After all the English people fought for England without succeeding something of a greater good, he would gladly surrender to other countries if they lose, to make England realize its inhumane work.