13 November 2011—Open Prompt

1989. In questioning the value of literary realism, Flannery O'Connor has written, "I am interested in making a good case for distortion because I am coming to believe that it is the only way to make people see." Write an essay in which you "make a good case for distortion," as distinct from literary realism. Analyze how important elements of the work you choose are "distorted" and explain how these distortions contribute to the effectiveness of the work. Avoid plot summary.

The use of satire as an outlet for social criticism was especially prominent before the twentieth century. In his essay entitled A Modest Proposal, eighteenth century British writer Jonathon Swift took the use of satire to new heights in his effort to expose the socioeconomic and moral issues of his day. In accordance with his ironic title, Swift's proposal is ostentatious and gruesomely unrealistic, his persona pretentious and cruel. His outlandish portrayal of the wealthy and his repugnant proposal were meant to shock his readers into recognizing the moral distortion in the world around them.

Swift uses a persona who claims to be unbiased and reasonable, but who very quickly is revealed to be exactly the opposite. In elevated language, he suggests that the poor of Ireland be bred, sold, and eaten by the rich (English landowners). He even elaborates the process down to specifics like what fraction of males and females will be left to breed and after what length of time from birth a baby would be available for sale. He lists the various benefits that would result from his suggestion, going from the immediate effect of lessening the amount of poor plaguing the streets to recommended recipe ideas. In a moment of sincerity, Swift compares this cannibalism to that metaphorically taking place between England and Ireland.

The persona's clear distortion of morality and preposterous proposal were a means of circumventing direct criticism of his time and the English monarchy. In the 1700s, writers had to be careful in vocalizing their opinions in fear of repercussions. Satire was a way to fly under the radar.

However, the extreme images Swift uses more effectively invoke emotional responses from readers than a straight forward, realistic proposal would. In his essay, he does list his legitimate ideas under his persona's clarification that they are everything society should avoid doing. Without the distorted context around them, the ideas wouldn't be fully emphasized, and readers wouldn't be emotionally vulnerable enough to feel that emphasis.

In his highly satirical A Modest Proposal, Jonathon Swift criticizes social issues involving eighteenth century Ireland and England. His warped persona and proposal protected him from possible punishment for his commentary, but also struck the emotions of his readers more so than a truly modest proposal could.