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A Modest Proposal

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A Modest Proposal

By: Jonathan Swift
Narrated by: Robert Blumenfeld
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About this listen

A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland From Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public, commonly referred to as A Modest Proposal, is a Juvenalian satirical essay written and published anonymously by Jonathan Swift in 1729. Swift suggests in his essay that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling children as food for rich gentlemen and ladies. By doing this he mocks the authority of the British officials.

A Modest Proposal is included in many literature programs as an example of early modern western satire. It also serves as an exceptional introduction to the concept and use of argumentative language, lending itself well to secondary and post-secondary essay courses. Outside of the realm of English studies, A Modest Proposal is a relevant piece included in many comparative and global literature and history courses, as well as those of numerous other disciplines in the arts, humanities, and even the social sciences.

Public Domain (P)2011 Audible, Inc. Classics Essays European Literary History & Criticism Satire Nonfiction Comedy Ireland Witty Funny

Editorial reviews

Narrator Robert Blumenfeld understands the sardonic attitude of Jonathan Swift's Juvenalian satire perfectly, and he utilizes a pompous, flowery tone in his performance with obvious relish. Swift suggests in his essay that the impoverished Irish might improve their lot by selling their children as food for rich gentlemen and ladies. Much like Swift, Blumenfeld doesn't hold back and describes the possible preparation styles for the children and calculations showing the financial benefits of cannibalism with humorously exaggerated condescension and smugness. Listeners will be truly entertained by his fun approach to Swift's most famous work.

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Profile Image for carol thompson

pompous

rather tedious and at times the subject was crass. I listened to most because I was curious to find why it wS considered witty but I think the author was trying to hard to make something out of very little. I guess it was titillating in its day.

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