Question

Find two examples where Swift uses ambiguity in the essay. What effect does this technique have on the essay? What purpose do these examples serve?

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is explained below.

Explanation:

Jonathan Swift was an English writer, famous for Gulliver's Travel and many essays as A Modest Proposal. Ambiguity means to be open to more than one interpretation.

At the end of the essay, the author lists some possible solutions to poverty but he doesn't explain them in detail; on the other hand he also dismisses some of them. It may create different effects on the reader, such as creating confusion and contributing to the ironic tone of the text.

Answer 2

This study guide has been written for students and their teachers in KS3 and KS4 in the UK but may be suitable for students elsewhere. The guide suggests ways of responding to Jonathan Swift's pamphlet A Modest Proposal for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the public. Read the text thoroughly - perhaps with some help from a teacher, and attempt one of the tasks described on this guide - or agree some other task with your teacher.

If you wish to work traditionally these activities can be done in an exercise book, or as a booklet using your own skills in illustration and writing. If you wish to use computer software for your work, this is quite appropriate. The tasks may work well as speaking and listening activities; you are encouraged to present these “live” or make use of tape-recording or multi-media software recording to show your work. In such cases, where the guide refers to writing, you may respond by speaking.

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