11
AssignmentMultiple Choice

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

Question 11 • *HSA 26-27 English IV A -IC

How does Swift use verbal irony in the title "A Modest Proposal"?

Answer
A
Swift does not actually ask anyone to marry him in his essay.
B
Modest means “moderate” or “limited in scale,” but Swift’s idea is actually very extreme.
C
Swift does not offer any real solutions in his satire.
D
The essay’s title is very short, but the essay explores significant ideas.

Explanation

“Modest” suggests something moderate or limited, but Swift’s proposal—to solve poverty by selling and eating children—is deliberately shocking and extreme. The mismatch between the mild-sounding title and the outrageous idea is verbal irony. Choice B captures that contrast.

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