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Criticisms in Jonathan Swift’s ‘A Modest Proposal’ A satire is a literary work in which human foolishness and vice are criticized. Satire employs humor and wit to ridicule human institutions or humanity itself, in order that they might be remodeled or improved (Random House). A Modest Proposal, by Jonathan Swift is a prime example of a satire. Throughout the piece it is difficult to know exactly whom and what Swift is criticizing. This is …

…Irish, the Irish for allowing the English to oppress them, and the readers for letting members of their race be taken advantage of in A Modest Proposal. Bibliography References 1. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, vol. 2. (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1995) 427-430, 483-489. 2. Swift, Jonathan, A Modest Proposal, published in The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, vol.2 (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1995) 483-489. 3. Webster’s College Dictionary, 3rd ed. (New York: Random House, 1995) 1193.