Question

Read this excerpt from a modest proposal

Answer 1

This question is incomplete. I've found the complete question online. It is as follows:

Whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the publick as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation. Based on this satirical excerpt, what is most likely to be true about the author? A. He doesn't think statues are the proper way to honor people the public admires. B. He believes the public is not giving him the honors he has earned. C. He feels the public doesn't always honor the right people. D. He doesn't always agree with the choices of who is honored by the public.

Answer:

What is most likely true about the author is:

D. He doesn't always agree with the choices of who is honored by the public.

Explanation:

"A Modest Proposal" was published by author Jonathan Swift in 1729, anonymously. It is now a famous example of satire, especially because Swift was able to write an absurdity with seriousness. It turns out that Swift is ironically suggesting a solution to make the children of the poor useful to the rich. He defends the idea that poor parents should begin to sell their children as food to the rich. He offers logical explanations for that suggestion, and even provides them with ideas as to how to cook the kids.

In the excerpt we are analyzing here, he says anyone who can come up with such a good idea deserves a statue honoring him. Since the whole Proposal is a satire, we can infer that Swift is actually criticizing those who do get statues. He most likely thinks they do not deserve being honored at all, especially if their contributions to society include oppressing others.