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A Modest Proposal

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A Modest Proposal

By: Jonathan Swift
Narrated by: Robert Blumenfeld
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About this listen

A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland From Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public, commonly referred to as A Modest Proposal, is a Juvenalian satirical essay written and published anonymously by Jonathan Swift in 1729. Swift suggests in his essay that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling children as food for rich gentlemen and ladies. By doing this he mocks the authority of the British officials.

A Modest Proposal is included in many literature programs as an example of early modern western satire. It also serves as an exceptional introduction to the concept and use of argumentative language, lending itself well to secondary and post-secondary essay courses. Outside of the realm of English studies, A Modest Proposal is a relevant piece included in many comparative and global literature and history courses, as well as those of numerous other disciplines in the arts, humanities, and even the social sciences.

Public Domain (P)2011 Audible, Inc.
Classics Essays European Literary History & Criticism Satire Nonfiction Comedy Ireland Witty
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Editor reviews

Narrator Robert Blumenfeld understands the sardonic attitude of Jonathan Swift's Juvenalian satire perfectly, and he utilizes a pompous, flowery tone in his performance with obvious relish. Swift suggests in his essay that the impoverished Irish might improve their lot by selling their children as food for rich gentlemen and ladies. Much like Swift, Blumenfeld doesn't hold back and describes the possible preparation styles for the children and calculations showing the financial benefits of cannibalism with humorously exaggerated condescension and smugness. Listeners will be truly entertained by his fun approach to Swift's most famous work.

What listeners say about A Modest Proposal

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A modest proposal

Where does A Modest Proposal rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

genius

What other book might you compare A Modest Proposal to, and why?

?

What does Robert Blumenfeld bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Very professional reading

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No too long

Any additional comments?

There is no actual list of what's included in the the description so here it is.

When I come to be old (1695)

The story of the injured lady

The answer to the injured lady

The bickerstaff papers

The death of mr partridge

A vindication of Issac bickerstaff

The abolishing of Christianity

The tatler no 230

The examiner no 13

The examiner no 14

The examiner no 20

Journal to Stella letter 5

Journal to Stella letter 17

A hue and cry after dismal

A sermon on false witness

A letter to a young gentleman

Swift to Charles ford

A proposal for the universal use of Irish manufacture

Letter dr swift to mr pope

Swift to esther vanhomrigh

The drapiers letters 1 & 4

Swift to Thomas Sheridan

Swift to Alexander pope

Holyhead journal 1727

On the death of mrs johnson

A short view of the state of Ireland

The intelligencer no 3 & 9

A modest proposal

An examination of certain abuses etc in Dublin

Swift to Andrew fountain

Directions to servants

Directions to the footman

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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
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  • Story
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A Classic Work of Satire Brought to Life

What did you like most about A Modest Proposal?

Not an easy text to bring to live but Mr Blumenfeld does a cracking job - if only modern satire was this good

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The history and bang up to date nature of the text

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The letters to the Irish (or about) are all exceptional

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

What a very brave man he must have been?!

Any additional comments?

Each chapter is a stand alone piece which is handy

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