Concerns Jonathon Swift's use of satire in "A Modest Proposal." Describes how in this story caustic wit becomes the means to critique society to a more receptive and entertained audience.

The use of satire or sustained irony is a rhetorical strategy which an essayist may use to disconcert a blasé reader into questioning areas which seem to reveal a certain degree of "human vice, folly or sheer stupidity." (Webster's II, 981) Whether intended for a scholar such as "Of Cannibals" by Montaigne or intended for the general populace as in "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathon Swift, caustic wit becomes the means to critique …

…both successful. It is interesting that the authors equally chose cannibalism subject matter as it remains as horrific to modern readers as it was to the readers of their respective periods. Works cited Swift, Jonathon. "A Modest Proposal" Montaigne. "Of Cannibals" "Satire." Webster's II. 1999 ed. Brians, Paul. "Michel de Montaigne: On Cannibals (1580)." Reading About The World : Vol. 2. 23 Dec. 1998. Washington State University. 5 Oct. 2004 (http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/montaigne.html)