Page "A Modest Proposal" Paragraph 12

James Johnson argued that A Modest Proposal was largely influenced and inspired by Tertullian ’ s Apology: a satirical attack against early Roman persecution of Christianity.

James William Johnson believes that Swift saw major similarities between the two situations.

Johnson notes Swift ’ s obvious affinity for Tertullian and the bold stylistic and structural similarities between the works A Modest Proposal and Apology.

In structure, Johnson points out the same central theme, that of cannibalism and the eating of babies as well as the same final argument, that " human depravity is such that men will attempt to justify their own cruelty by accusing their victims of being lower than human.

" Stylistically, Swift and Tertullian share the same command of sarcasm and language.

In agreement with Johnson, Donald C. Baker points out the similarity between both authors ' tones and use of irony.

Baker notes the uncanny way that both authors imply an ironic " justification by ownership " over the subject of sacrificing children — Tertullian while attacking pagan parents, and Swift while attacking the English mistreatment of the Irish poor.