What Type Of Satire Is “A Modest Proposal”?

In order to answer the question "What type of satire is A Modest Proposal?" and enhance our skills in crafting satirical essays, we must first understand what satire is. According to Merriam-Webster, it is “the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and discredit vice or folly.” We also need to know what type of literature Swift was writing in order to be able to answer this question accurately. Swift was a master at crafting satirical essays; he used humor and irony to criticize society in the 18th century, making him a renowned satirist.

A Modest Proposal is an exemplary instance of Juvenalian satire. This type of satirical writing employs extreme hyperbole to mock or criticize some aspect of human behavior, society, or government. Named after the Roman satirist Juvenal, who penned many poems criticizing the corruption and decadence of Rome during his era, Juvenalian satire is known for its sharp, often dark humor.

It's the most famous example of a Juvenalian satire, which effectively uses the author's proposed solution to a problem—that is so outrageously exaggerated it becomes humorous. This not only captivates the reader but also proves to be more impactful due to the extremity of the proposed solution