Question

The following lines capture the central trope of a well-known 18th century satirical tract.
``I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child, well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food...''
Identify the tract from the options below.

• A. John Stuart Mill, ``On Liberty''
• B. Francis Bacon, ``On Death''
• C. Jonathan Swift, ``A Modest Proposal''
• D. Robert Graves, ``Warning to Children''

Hint:

Satirical works often use exaggeration and irony to expose social evils; recognizing tone is key to identifying such texts.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the passage.
The quoted lines shockingly suggest the consumption of children as food, which immediately signals the use of extreme irony and satire rather than a literal proposal.
Step 2: Identifying the genre and period.
The text is described as an 18th century satirical tract. Among the options, Jonathan Swift is a major satirist of this period, known for using exaggerated logic to critique social and political problems.
Step 3: Matching content with the work.
In ``A Modest Proposal'', Swift sarcastically proposes that impoverished Irish children be sold as food to the wealthy, aiming to criticize British exploitation and indifference to Irish suffering. The quoted lines are taken directly from this work.
Step 4: Eliminating other options.
John Stuart Mill and Francis Bacon wrote philosophical essays, not satirical tracts of this nature, while Robert Graves is a 20th century poet.
Final Answer: (C) Jonathan Swift, ``A Modest Proposal''