Question

8. Analyze Eighteenth-Century Literature In his essay, Swift appears to

condemn the Irish Catholics in the same way as the social class he mocks.
What possible motives might he have had for using such a strategy? What
motives would writers today have to do something similar?

Answer 1

Jonathan Swift may have used the strategy of condemning the Irish Catholics and mocking the social class in his essay to critique the ruling class and draw attention to social injustice. Writers today might use a similar strategy to highlight social issues and challenge dominant ideologies.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jonathan Swift used the strategy of condemning the Irish Catholics and mocking the social class in his essay for various possible motives. One motive could be that he wanted to highlight the hypocrisy and injustice of the ruling class. By targeting the Irish Catholics, he may have been drawing attention to the mistreatment and oppression of a marginalized group. Additionally, Swift may have used this strategy to critique the power structures and societal norms of his time.

Writers today might have similar motives for using such a strategy. They may want to bring attention to social issues, highlight inequality, challenge dominant ideologies, or provoke critical thinking. By using satire and criticism, writers can shed light on the flaws and contradictions within societies and prompt readers to question existing power structures and cultural norms.

Answer 2

Jonathan Swift's essay, "A Modest Proposal," is a satirical work that critiques the economic policies of the English government towards Ireland. Swift employs a satirical strategy, using exaggeration and irony to mock the wealthy English landowners and their indifference towards the Irish people's poverty and suffering. However, in his essay, Swift also appears to condemn the Irish Catholics in the same way as the social class he mocks.

There are a few possible motives for Swift's strategy of criticizing the Irish Catholics. One motive could be to highlight the effects of English colonialism and the damage it had done to the Irish people, including the division and conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland. By satirizing both groups, Swift may be emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation among the Irish people to overcome their oppression.

Another possible motive could be to critique the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church in Ireland, which, in Swift's view, had failed to address the poverty and suffering of the Irish people. Swift may be using satire to expose the corrupt and ineffective institutions that perpetuate poverty and injustice in Ireland.

In modern times, writers may use a similar strategy for various reasons. One motive could be to highlight the complexities and contradictions within a particular social group or political movement. By critiquing both the flaws and the positive aspects of a group, a writer may be encouraging introspection and self-improvement within that group.

Another motive could be to challenge stereotypes and binary thinking by presenting a nuanced and multifaceted perspective. By satirizing both sides of a conflict or issue, a writer may be encouraging a more nuanced and open-minded approach to social and political issues.

In conclusion, Swift's use of satire to condemn both the English landowners and the Irish Catholics in "A Modest Proposal" may have served various motives, including critiquing English colonialism and the Catholic Church's failures. Similarly, modern writers may use a similar strategy to highlight complexity, challenge stereotypes, and encourage introspection and open-mindedness.