Previous
Mood
Definition of Motif
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of... read full definition
Motifs
Explanation and Analysis—Women as Livestock:
While the primary targets of the Proposer's dehumanizing language are Irish children, the impoverished mothers of those children are treated with the same indignity. Throughout "A Modest Proposal," the Proposer refers to women as livestock, using the term "breeding" to describe human reproduction. This motif often coincides with the use of statistics:
The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about 200,000 couple whose wives are breeders.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Children for Sale:
Throughout "A Modest Proposal," the Proposer uses a variety of language to compare Irish children to commodities. In one of the first instances of this motif, the Proposer directly refers to Irish children as "goods," claiming that their murder and sale as meat products could be considered positive support for domestic production:
Unlock with LitCharts A+And the money will circulate among ourselves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.
Related Themes:
