Question

a modest proposal
by jonathan swift
it is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or
travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabbin-
doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or
six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms.
these mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are
forced to employ all their time in stroling to beg sustenance for their
helpless infants who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work,
or leave their dear native country, to fight for the pretender in spain, or sell
themselves to the barbadoes.
i think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in
the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently
of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very
great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair,
cheap and easy method of making these children sound and 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.
but my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the
children of professed beggars; it is of a much greater extent, and shall take
in the whole number of infants at a certain age, who are born of parents in
effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our charity in
the streets.
as to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years
which characteristics of satire are evident in \a modest proposal\? choose
three correct answers.
multiple points of view
verbal irony
humor and ridicule
serious language
criticism of society

Explanation:

• verbal irony: Swift's proposal to solve poverty by selling children as food is ironic, as it's a shocking and absurd solution to highlight real issues.
• humor and ridicule: The absurd idea of using children as a commodity is presented in a humorous way to ridicule societal indifference to poverty.
• criticism of society: The text critiques the social and economic conditions that leave mothers and children begging, showing societal failure to address poverty. "Multiple points of view" is incorrect (Swift presents his own ironic view), and "serious language" is incorrect (the tone is ironic/humorous, not serious in the intended way).

Answer:

• verbal irony
• humor and ridicule
• criticism of society