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 isunderstatement, 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 1

Answer:

The best answer is letter B. verbal irony, because the author does not truly believe his own words.

Explanation:

Verbal irony happens when an author expresses something contradictory to what he really believes or intends to. As we know, "A Modest Proposal" by Johnathan Swift is one of the greatest examples of satire in literature, being filled with irony and sarcasm. His not-at-all modest proposal is that the children of the Irish poor be fed to the rich so that the poor won't be such a burden anymore. Evidently, Swift doesn't really believe in cannibalism as a solution, nor does he expect anyone to believe it as well. By using irony, he wishes to show everyone the absurdity of the political and financial state of the country. His proposal would most like cause revulsion in others the same way he is revolted by how the poor are seen and treated.