Is Swift's "A Modest Proposal" an example of Horatian or Juvenalian Satire?

1 Answer
Oct 14, 2017

Juvenalian.

Explanation:

Horatian satire is gentler, an acknowledgement that its subject shares the same flaws and shortcomings as the rest of humanity. Juvenalian is harsher and more accusatory in tone, suggesting that its target is indulging in behavior the rest of humanity would find appalling--in Swift's instance, the suggestion that the upper classes should start eating Irish babies.