4
QuizMultiple Choice

Satire in Swift's "A Modest Proposal" (Continued)

Question 4 • *HSA 26-27 English IV A -IC

In "A Modest Proposal," why does Swift intentionally use false premises as a basis for his arguments?

Answer
A
to signal that he is actually writing a satire
B
to suggest that his proposal is truly genuine
C
to lighten a serious topic with playful humor
D
to prove that he has made some valid points

Explanation

Swift presents absurd or false premises in a calm, logical tone so readers will recognize the speaker’s reasoning as deliberately unreliable. This contrast is a key satirical technique: it exposes the cruelty and absurdity of attitudes toward poverty and the Irish poor. The false premises signal that the proposal is satire, not a genuine plan.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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