Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 4 AIL 0335 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Swift's "Humbly Propose"
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The idea
Swift says he will humbly propose his own thoughts, which he hopes will not be liable to the least objection. Humbly and the least objection are the diction of a modest petitioner. Holding that register while proposing cannibalism is the whole technique in two phrases.
In practice
The petitioner's diction, held throughout.
Where people slip
Two phrases carry the method.
Your place on the trail
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