Question

Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal." I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him. One aspect of satire evident in this excerpt is understatement, because the author truly believes that his plan is worthwhile. verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words. verbal irony, because the author wants others to see his point of view. understatement, because the author does not think others will agree with him.
-ANSWER- verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.

Answer 1

I know you have already provided the answer. I will simply add some more information concerning this question and the literary work it is about.

Answer:

One aspect of satire evident in this excerpt is:

B. verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.

Explanation:

By author Jonathan Swift, "A Modest Proposal" is one of the greatest and most famous examples of satire in literature. His proposal is anything but modest. It is a criticism on how the rich not only exploit the poor, but also accuse the poor of being a burden. The proposal is simple: that the poor sell their children as food to the rich. Swift even says he has ideas for recipes on how to cook a child. The verbal irony is blatant. The author does not believe his own words. He also does not want anyone else to believe them. His sole purpose is to shock people. The bloody, cruel proposal that seems to be too much is nothing but a colorful portrait of the injustices the rich commit against the poor already.