Literary Devices Analysis A Modest Proposal By Brogan
Literary Devices Analysis A Modest Proposal By: Brogan Dineen, Jacob Gaydos, Jacqueline Grundfast, Sarah Walker, Julia Younan
Asyndeton Definition ◈ The omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence. 2
Usage of Asyndeton “I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. ” (Paragraph 33) 3
Analysis of Asyndeton Jonathan Swift utilises this technique to keep from drawing out his final point, as to not lose the reader’s interest in the final words of his conclusion. As well as this, it allows the reading to become more dramatic and effective through speeding up the reader’s pace. 4
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Anaphora ◈ the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences, commonly in conjunction with climax and with parallelism. 6
Usage of Anaphora “Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloaths, nor household furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: Of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity, idleness, and gaming in our women: Of…” 7
Analysis of Anaphora is used by Jonathan Swift in order to emphasize the voice of reason in the work. He proposes realistic solutions to the problem of the absentee landlords and through the purposeful repetition of “Of”, Swift is able to concisely and clearly express his actual proposal to the audience. 8
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Anecdote ◈ A short and interesting story often proposed to support or demonstrate some point and make readers laugh and brood over the topic presented for the purpose. 10
Usage of Anecdote “It is melancholy to object those who walk through this great town or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads, and the cabin doors, crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers, instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg sustenance for their helpless 11 infants. . ”
Analysis of Anecdote Swift employs an anecdote at the beginning of this piece to introduce a situation in which his “proposal” would be most effective. He draws the reader into his world in order to help them fully understand the issue at hand his plan to fix it. 12
Mmmm Delicious 13
Verbal Irony is. . . ◈ ◈ When words express something contrary to truth or someone says the opposite of what they really feel or mean Often very sarcastic 14
Usage of Irony (Verbal) “Then as to the females, it would, I think, with humble submission be a loss to the public, because they soon would become breeders themselves; and besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice (although indeed very unjustly), as a little bordering upon cruelty; which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, however so well intended. ” 15
Analysis of Irony Swift uses irony in this passage to stress how ridiculous this “proposal” is. The suggestion of eating children to lessen poverty is one of extreme cruelty. By saying that it is “a little bordering upon cruelty” shows that Swift is not serious in his suggestion. 16
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Imagery ◈ Visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work. 18
Imagery “For instance, the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barreled beef, the propagation of swine’s flesh, and the improvement in the art of making good bacon, so much wanted by the great destruction of pigs, too frequent at our tables; which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well grown, fat, yearling child, which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a lord mayor’s feast or any other 19 public entertainment. ”
Analysis of Imagery By using this imagery swift is able to show severe his proposal is by making the reader think of a child roasted like a pig, which is a very disturbing thought. 20
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Literary Devices Analysis A Modest Proposal 23
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