Johnathan Swift was a man with a lot to say. And he believed that anyone who wanted to hear it should be shocked or entertained. In his two satirical works, "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal", Swift takes two different approaches to express his opinion about his country and its problems, as well as society as a whole. For those who are intrigued by Swift's method and wish to explore this genre further, understanding satire essays could provide deeper insight into how satire can be used effectively to comment on and criticize social norms and issues, mirroring Swift's approach . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Some may think that Swift's satires are essentially writings of extreme hyperbole, but it is important to keep in mind that crass embellishment is still only one aspect of his satirical techniques. Swift uses irony and humor, parodies that portray a virtue and turn it into a vice. The satire, A Modest Proposal, suggested that the poorest in Ireland should sell their children as delicious food to the English. The idea behind "A Modest Proposal" is ironic because it pokes fun at other impractical solutions people suggest to solve big problems. problems in society. The idea (that the Irish should eat their children) is completely satirical, as it mocks people who suggest absurd solutions as pragmatic. Swift's comparison of boys and girls as “unsellable commodities” is a good example of an absurd solution, as it shows the harsh mentality of people who try to turn everything into economic issues. “A Modest Proposal” is designed to address several problems with a simple but morally unreasonable solution. Outrage over the potential solution should be directed towards thinking about a practical solution. If Jonathan Swift had written a thoughtful piece about his political beliefs, he probably wouldn't have received any serious response. Creating a serious piece on the issue in Ireland would have been difficult enough, and at least people like to joke and laugh. A satirical parody is likely to capture the audience's attention in ways that a seriously written piece could not. A comedic satire is likely to capture the audience's attention in ways that a seriously written piece could not. “A modest proposal” shocked people and made them think about the poor state of Ireland and what should be done about it. And being difficult to read and seemingly joking around, rather than explicitly questioning authority, is much safer. In his novel "Gulliver's Travels" Swift took a much more adventurous and classically humorous approach. As Gulliver's adventure unfolds, the satire itself begins to reflect on a much broader topic than "A Modest Proposal." This topic can be defined as humanity as a whole. He finds himself in a foreign land, but this time he's the tiny one, with everything gigantic around him. When he meets the first natives, he fears for his life. It is but one of the many attacks that Swift's satire makes on society. Although Gulliver was treated with respect in Lilliput, mainly due to his size; In the land of giants, Brobdingnag, he is seen as a novelty, made to perform for public amusement, until the King becomes aware of his presence. During Gulliver's time in the king's court, Swift satirizes much of the current European government. The adventures of..