Question

question 3 of 22
read the following excerpt from \a modest proposal,\ by jonathan swift:
and besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous
people might be apt to censure using less affluent
children as a source of food, (although indeed very
unjustly,) as a little bordering upon cruelty; which, i
confess, has always been with me the strongest objection
against any project, how well soever intended.

bearing in mind that censure means \to criticize,\ what is most likely the
opinion of the author (but not the narrator)?

○ a. he considers himself scrupulous despite his proposal to sell and
consume children.

○ b. he believes that the people who disapprove of this plan are
hypocritical for ignoring the plight of the poor.

○ c. he believes that his project would solve many financial problems
for his nation.

○ d. he is concerned that some people with political power would
censure his plan despite its economic soundness.

Explanation:

"A Modest Proposal" uses satire: the narrator’s absurd proposal (eating children) critiques real indifference to poverty. The author (Swift) implies critics of the satirical plan are hypocritical—they condemn the fake cruelty but ignore the actual suffering of the poor that the satire exposes. Options A, C, D reflect the narrator’s voice, not the author’s true opinion.

Answer:

B. He believes that the people who disapprove of this plan are hypocritical for ignoring the plight of the poor.