Both the rap of the lock, by alexander pope, and a modest proposal, by jonathan swift use elements of satire to show a viewpoint. satire is a technique writers use to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society. they do this through humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. the intention of satire is to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles. 1. what events were occurring at this time in british society that each author’s felt they needed to use satire to expose the absurdity? what were they trying to accomplish with this use of satire? what satirical elements did they use to effectively communicate their message?

The poem by Alexander Pope is a mock-heroic narrative poem, an example of a high Burlesque. The theme of the poem is a small incident that Pope compared to the epic world of the gods, emphasizing the absurdity of all actions that preceded the incident, as well as those that followed. The incident happened in real life, and this fact only intensifies the absurdity and foolishness of society at that time in England. Namely, the incident is inflated to such an extent, only because it is the character that caused the incident, the Catholic, in the otherwise Anglican England. At the time, there were social limitations, very strict for anyone who was Catholic.  The poet uses essentially satires, with the help of elements epic narrative, sneering and parody, to emphasize fake heroism with prominent Englishmen.

This poem has contributed to popularity and interest in highlighting fake heroism in Europe.

In a similar tone is the Swift's essay, which in his essay ironically suggests preventing children of the poor Irish Catholics from being born for their parents or state, but for the benefit of the public. this also was in real life. And here he emphasizes the attitude towards the Catholics, especially from Ireland. He ironically suggests, in an essay, that children should be sold to rich people for food, and so mitigate their economic problems. Also ironically, Swift puts rationally above the human.

This essay is considered one of the greatest examples of the use of irony as an element of satire.

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