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1、A Modest ProposalA Modest ProposalJonathan Swift11. 1.What is the political context for this proposal?What is the political context for this proposal?2. 2.What is What is the melancholy objectthe melancholy object, according to Swift, when , according to Swift, when people went through the country?p
2、eople went through the country?3. 3.The author provides statistical evidence for his proposal. The author provides statistical evidence for his proposal. How does he work out the number of children to be sold How does he work out the number of children to be sold annually?annually?What assumption do
3、es he provide about their weight What assumption does he provide about their weight and price? and price? How does suggest that the babies should be consumed? How does suggest that the babies should be consumed? 4. 4.What does Jonathan Swift mean by “ I grant this food What does Jonathan Swift mean
4、by “ I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” the
5、parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” ? (P258)? (P258)5. 5.Which month offers the best supply of the babies?Which month offers the best supply of the babies?6. 6.The narrators friend has another suggestion, why does The narrators friend has another suggestion, why does he reject it?
6、 (P259)he reject it? (P259)7. 7.Explain the use of irony and satire in this essay. Explain the use of irony and satire in this essay. 21. What is the social context for this proposal?Swift published Swift published A Modest ProposalA Modest Proposal in 1729 as a in 1729 as a pamphlet . pamphlet . At
7、 that time, Ireland (not an independent country) At that time, Ireland (not an independent country) was far poorer than England. was far poorer than England. This ruling class were usually Protestants. Many of This ruling class were usually Protestants. Many of them were not born in Ireland, nor did
8、 they them were not born in Ireland, nor did they live there permanently. live there permanently. Most Irish people were Most Irish people were Roman CatholicsRoman Catholics and and employed as labourers or tenants. They had employed as labourers or tenants. They had been driven to extreme been dri
9、ven to extreme poverty.poverty.32. 2. What is the melancholy object, according to Swift, when people went through the country?In this country, there were a prodigious member of women beggars with their children because of extreme poverty. 4In view of the problem that parents couldnt afford to raise
10、their children, Jonathan Swift presents in a very serious manner with facts and figuresand very refined diction a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound useful members of the commonwealth. 5一个谦卑的建议一个谦卑的建议以文雅的措词和所谓经济学数据，以文雅的措词和所谓经济学数据，郑重其事地郑重其事地作为作为“一个公正、不费钱而又简易可一个公正、不费钱而又简易可行的办法行
11、的办法”提出来，提出来，自称目的在于解决爱尔兰穷人儿女过自称目的在于解决爱尔兰穷人儿女过多而又无力养育的迫切问题。多而又无力养育的迫切问题。What is the proposal? 6and it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them in such a manner as instead of being a charge upon their parents or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, t
12、hey shall on the contrary contribute to the feeding, and partly to the clothing, of many thousands. (P256)73. The author provides statistical evidence for his proposal. How does he work out the number of babies to sold annually? The whole population might be 1 million and a half. (150,0000)Two hundr
13、ed thousand women were breeders. (20,0000)Thirty thousand couples are able to maintain their children. (-3,0000)8Fifty thousand women might miscarry or whose children might die by accident or disease within the year. (-5,0000)There only remained a hunderd and twenty thousand chidren of poor paretns
14、annually born. (12,0000)I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration that of the hundred and twenty thousand children already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, (-2,0000)9whereof only one-fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle or swine
15、; and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore one male will be sufficient to serve four females. 现谨建议如下，祈请公众垂鉴。已统计的十二万现谨建议如下，祈请公众垂鉴。已统计的十二万现谨建议如下，祈请公众垂鉴。已统计的十二万现谨建议如下，祈请公众垂鉴。已统计的十二万名儿童，两万可留下传种，其中四分之一可为名儿童，两万可留下传种
16、，其中四分之一可为名儿童，两万可留下传种，其中四分之一可为名儿童，两万可留下传种，其中四分之一可为男性，此数已超过牛羊猪豕之类留种的比例，男性，此数已超过牛羊猪豕之类留种的比例，男性，此数已超过牛羊猪豕之类留种的比例，男性，此数已超过牛羊猪豕之类留种的比例，理由是这类儿童大多非正式婚姻所生，理由是这类儿童大多非正式婚姻所生，理由是这类儿童大多非正式婚姻所生，理由是这类儿童大多非正式婚姻所生，粗鄙之粗鄙之粗鄙之粗鄙之流亦不介意此点流亦不介意此点流亦不介意此点流亦不介意此点，因此一男可配四女。，因此一男可配四女。，因此一男可配四女。，因此一男可配四女。 10That the remaining h
17、undred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in the sale to (1,0000)the persons of quality and fortune through the kingdom; always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump and fat for a good table. 余下的十万可在一岁时卖给国内有地位有钱余下的十万可在一岁时卖给国内有地位有钱者，事前切嘱母亲
18、们在最后一月喂足儿童者，事前切嘱母亲们在最后一月喂足儿童的奶水，使其肥嫩，以备筵席之用。的奶水，使其肥嫩，以备筵席之用。11What assumption does he make about their What assumption does he make about their weight and price? weight and price? I have reckoned upon a medium that a child just I have reckoned upon a medium that a child just born will weigh born wil
19、l weigh 12 pounds12 pounds, and in a solar year, if , and in a solar year, if tolerablytolerably nursed, nursed, increasethincreaseth to to 28 pounds28 pounds. .我曾计算，初生儿每个平均重我曾计算，初生儿每个平均重我曾计算，初生儿每个平均重我曾计算，初生儿每个平均重12121212磅，养育得当，磅，养育得当，磅，养育得当，磅，养育得当，一年后可重一年后可重一年后可重一年后可重28282828磅。磅。磅。磅。 and I believe
20、no gentlemen would repine to and I believe no gentlemen would repine to give give ten shillingsten shillings for the carcass of a good fat for the carcass of a good fat child,the mother will have child,the mother will have eight shillings eight shillings net profitnet profit, and be fit for the work
21、 till she , and be fit for the work till she produces another child. produces another child. 只要区区十先令就能换如此可口的肉孩，我相信，只要区区十先令就能换如此可口的肉孩，我相信，只要区区十先令就能换如此可口的肉孩，我相信，只要区区十先令就能换如此可口的肉孩，我相信，没有哪位绅士会为此开销皱皱眉头。而做母亲没有哪位绅士会为此开销皱皱眉头。而做母亲没有哪位绅士会为此开销皱皱眉头。而做母亲没有哪位绅士会为此开销皱皱眉头。而做母亲的每年也可以有八个先令的净收入，的每年也可以有八个先令的净收入，的每年也可以有
22、八个先令的净收入，的每年也可以有八个先令的净收入， 这使她这使她这使她这使她能好好干活，直到再次生育。能好好干活，直到再次生育。能好好干活，直到再次生育。能好好干活，直到再次生育。12What does he suggest about What does he suggest about their consumption their consumption patternspatterns? ? I have been assured by a very knowing American, my I have been assured by a very knowing American,
23、 my acquaintance in London, thatacquaintance in London, that a a youngyoung healthyhealthy child child wellwell nursednursed is at a year old is at a year old a a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesomemost delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, food, whether whether stewed, roasted, baked, or
24、 boiledstewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; ; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout.fricassee or a ragout. 我在伦敦认识一个见识很广的美国人，他向我保证说：我在伦敦认识一个见识很广的美国人，他向我保证说：我在伦敦认识一个见识很广的美国人，他向我保证说：我在伦敦认识一个见识很广的美国人，他向我保证说：一个奶水充足的健康儿童
25、养到一岁，其肉是最鲜美，一个奶水充足的健康儿童养到一岁，其肉是最鲜美，一个奶水充足的健康儿童养到一岁，其肉是最鲜美，一个奶水充足的健康儿童养到一岁，其肉是最鲜美，最滋补、最健康的食品，最滋补、最健康的食品，最滋补、最健康的食品，最滋补、最健康的食品，炖炖炖炖、煎煎煎煎、烤烤烤烤、煮煮煮煮都好，都好，都好，都好，无疑也可做油煎肉丸和肉丝。无疑也可做油煎肉丸和肉丝。无疑也可做油煎肉丸和肉丝。无疑也可做油煎肉丸和肉丝。13A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines al
26、one, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.友朋小集，一儿可作两莱；家庭自享，则友朋小集，一儿可作两莱；家庭自享，则一臂一腿可各作一道好菜，若能调以少量一臂一腿可各作一道好菜，若能调以少量胡椒和盐，则存放四天后煮吃仍佳，冬季胡椒和盐，则存放四天后煮吃仍佳，冬季尤然。尤然。14Those who are more
27、 thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flay the carcass; the skin of which artificially dressed will make admirable gloves for ladies; and summer boots for fine gentlemen. 那些节俭一些的父母（我必须得承认此乃那些节俭一些的父母（我必须得承认此乃时势所迫）可以剥去婴儿的皮，加工一时势所迫）可以剥去婴儿的皮，加工一下就会制成精致的女士手套以及男式凉下就会制成精致的女士手套以及男式凉靴。靴。 154. Wh
28、at does Jonathan Swift mean by “ I grant What does Jonathan Swift mean by “ I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the par
29、ents, seem to already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” (P258)have the best title to the children.” (P258)诚然，此类食品不免价昂，但也因此更合地主诚然，此类食品不免价昂，但也因此更合地主诚然，此类食品不免价昂，但也因此更合地主诚然，此类食品不免价昂，但也因此更合地主们享用。们享用。们享用。们享用。他们既已吞食了儿童的父母，当然他们既已吞食了儿童的父母，当然他们既已吞食了儿童的父母，当然他们既已吞食了儿童的父
30、母，当然也最有资格饱餐这些儿童也最有资格饱餐这些儿童也最有资格饱餐这些儿童也最有资格饱餐这些儿童。This statement is a severe criticism of the This statement is a severe criticism of the brutal exploitation of the Irish people brutal exploitation of the Irish people by the English and Irish landlords. by the English and Irish landlords. 165. Which
31、month offers the best supply of the babies?There are more children born in Roman Catholic countries about nine months after Lent than any other season; therefore, reckoning a year after Lent, the markets will be glutted than usual, 在斋月之后的第九个月，罗马天主教在斋月之后的第九个月，罗马天主教国家新生儿的数量比其他季节要多；国家新生儿的数量比其他季节要多；因此，据
32、此推算，斋月后的一年，因此，据此推算，斋月后的一年，供应将比平时充足供应将比平时充足176. The narrators friend has another suggestion, why does he reject it? (P259)The suggestion is that the lack of venison might be supplied by the bodies of young boy and girls between 12 and 14 who live under starvation. Jonathan rejected this because the f
33、lesh of the boys were lean and tough while eating the girls would be a great loss to the public because they would soon be breeders themselves. 18In A Modest Proposal, Swift suggested with bitter irony, that the poverty of the Irish people should be relieved by the sale of their children as food for
34、 the rich. With the utmost gravity, he set out statistics to show the revenue that would come if the idea were adopted. ppIt would save the people the cost of maintaining many children; ppit would reduce the expensive and shameful abortions; ppit would reduce the number of Catholics in Ireland. 19在文
35、中，作者模仿谋臣策士的口吻，以忧国忧民的姿态，在文中，作者模仿谋臣策士的口吻，以忧国忧民的姿态，在文中，作者模仿谋臣策士的口吻，以忧国忧民的姿态，在文中，作者模仿谋臣策士的口吻，以忧国忧民的姿态，提议将爱尔兰贫民的婴儿卖给有钱人做菜肴提议将爱尔兰贫民的婴儿卖给有钱人做菜肴提议将爱尔兰贫民的婴儿卖给有钱人做菜肴提议将爱尔兰贫民的婴儿卖给有钱人做菜肴, , , , 以解决贫民以解决贫民以解决贫民以解决贫民人口过多的问题。人口过多的问题。人口过多的问题。人口过多的问题。文章口气之冷静，考虑之周密，更显出谋臣策士及主子文章口气之冷静，考虑之周密，更显出谋臣策士及主子文章口气之冷静，考虑之周密，更显出谋
36、臣策士及主子文章口气之冷静，考虑之周密，更显出谋臣策士及主子们的毒辣和无情。们的毒辣和无情。们的毒辣和无情。们的毒辣和无情。他在文中建议他在文中建议他在文中建议他在文中建议“可以把尸体剥了皮可以把尸体剥了皮可以把尸体剥了皮可以把尸体剥了皮”，用来做，用来做，用来做，用来做“贵妇人贵妇人贵妇人贵妇人们精美的手套们精美的手套们精美的手套们精美的手套”和和和和“风雅绅士们的凉鞋风雅绅士们的凉鞋风雅绅士们的凉鞋风雅绅士们的凉鞋”。在屠宰这个问。在屠宰这个问。在屠宰这个问。在屠宰这个问题上，他建议题上，他建议题上，他建议题上，他建议“不如买活的小儿去不如买活的小儿去不如买活的小儿去不如买活的小儿去”，“
37、随后现宰现做，随后现宰现做，随后现宰现做，随后现宰现做，像我们烤猪那样办法像我们烤猪那样办法像我们烤猪那样办法像我们烤猪那样办法”。后面又分析了这个建议的六大好。后面又分析了这个建议的六大好。后面又分析了这个建议的六大好。后面又分析了这个建议的六大好处。处。处。处。说得娓娓动听，听来却令人毛骨悚然，衬托出英国殖民说得娓娓动听，听来却令人毛骨悚然，衬托出英国殖民说得娓娓动听，听来却令人毛骨悚然，衬托出英国殖民说得娓娓动听，听来却令人毛骨悚然，衬托出英国殖民统治政策的残酷和惨无人道。统治政策的残酷和惨无人道。统治政策的残酷和惨无人道。统治政策的残酷和惨无人道。这篇文章也成为对英国殖民主义惊心动魄的
38、控诉。这篇文章也成为对英国殖民主义惊心动魄的控诉。这篇文章也成为对英国殖民主义惊心动魄的控诉。这篇文章也成为对英国殖民主义惊心动魄的控诉。20从标题看，就是绝妙的反讽。从标题看，就是绝妙的反讽。从标题看，就是绝妙的反讽。从标题看，就是绝妙的反讽。“A Modest ProposalA Modest Proposal”中的中的中的中的 “ “ “ “modestmodest”可以译为可以译为可以译为可以译为“小小的、温和的小小的、温和的小小的、温和的小小的、温和的”。表面说这是表面说这是表面说这是表面说这是“小小的小小的小小的小小的/ / / /温和的温和的温和的温和的”建议，实际却是无建议，实
39、际却是无建议，实际却是无建议，实际却是无比比比比“残忍残忍残忍残忍”、“恶毒恶毒恶毒恶毒”和和和和“令人发指令人发指令人发指令人发指”的主张。的主张。的主张。的主张。在具体的叙述中，斯威夫特以一个虔诚的在具体的叙述中，斯威夫特以一个虔诚的在具体的叙述中，斯威夫特以一个虔诚的在具体的叙述中，斯威夫特以一个虔诚的“献策者献策者献策者献策者”的口吻，忧国忧民地分析这件事的厉害得失。的口吻，忧国忧民地分析这件事的厉害得失。的口吻，忧国忧民地分析这件事的厉害得失。的口吻，忧国忧民地分析这件事的厉害得失。为了让其为了让其为了让其为了让其“妙计妙计妙计妙计”变得更加有说服力，他精打细算，变得更加有说服力，他
40、精打细算，变得更加有说服力，他精打细算，变得更加有说服力，他精打细算，列举数据，甚至引经据典，煞有介事、不动声色列举数据，甚至引经据典，煞有介事、不动声色列举数据，甚至引经据典，煞有介事、不动声色列举数据，甚至引经据典，煞有介事、不动声色地说着反话。地说着反话。地说着反话。地说着反话。在这篇文章中，斯威夫特从头至尾，都不露声色，在这篇文章中，斯威夫特从头至尾，都不露声色，在这篇文章中，斯威夫特从头至尾，都不露声色，在这篇文章中，斯威夫特从头至尾，都不露声色，那种超乎寻常的冷静语调，让人不寒而栗，散文那种超乎寻常的冷静语调，让人不寒而栗，散文那种超乎寻常的冷静语调，让人不寒而栗，散文那种超乎寻常
41、的冷静语调，让人不寒而栗，散文的表层话语与深层蕴含之间，形成巨大的审美张的表层话语与深层蕴含之间，形成巨大的审美张的表层话语与深层蕴含之间，形成巨大的审美张的表层话语与深层蕴含之间，形成巨大的审美张力。力。力。力。21Irony is a figure of speech that achieves emphasis by saying one thing and meaning the opposite. Satire refers to the ridicule or irony used to show the evil or foolishness of somebody or something in an amusing way. 22With an apparently logical and sincere tone, Swift is indeed saying:the English are devouring the Irish. The bitter irony is seen in the sharp contrast between the calm tone, the apparently humble manner of the speaker and the brutality and savagery of the content. 23
