My noodle

In reading over A Modest Proposal, as well as School “Fine,” I came to realize that the two pieces were similar in the sense that both used strong satire or sarcasm. When a number of kids were asked how their day at school went, over 95 percent answered with a positive response such as “fine,” “good,” and “okay.” Jonathan Swift thought it a grand idea to sell poor children to rich folks for a main course meal, in order to make a profit, as well as to eliminate poverty. The first story showed sarcasm because anyone with logic will understand that 95 percent of students don’t have positive responses when asked about school, but give them in order to avoid conversation.  In the second story it is ridiculous to think that poor people would ever consider selling their children to be eaten, just for some extra money.  Therefore it is quite evident that both of these stories show a strong sense of satire.

Satires purpose are to give stories irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity, or in other words give the reader a laugh.  They give you entertainment, because sometimes it is so far fetched that it tickles your funny bone, such as the example from A Modest Proposal, suggesting the poor sell their poor children for the rich to pay for and eat, which creates a sense of humor but still addresses the issue.  It is very effective because it gets you to open your mind and think about the issue as well as realize it is sarcastic.  It shows a different outlook and is a smart way to attack an issue.