Question

Whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the publick as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation. Based on this satirical excerpt, what is most likely to be true about the author? A. He doesn't think statues are the proper way to honor people the public admires. B. He believes the public is not giving him the honors he has earned. C. He feels the public doesn't always honor the right people. D. He doesn't always agree with the choices of who is honored by the public.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. He doesn't always agree with the choices of who is honored by the public.

Explanation:

This excerpt is from Jonathan Swift's (1667 – 1745) "A Modest Proposal" - A Modest Proposal for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the publick.

Option C is also similar to Option D, but option D better explain the situations.

From this excerpt and according to the options provided we can infer that the authors (Jonathan Swift) wants to stress on the importance of helping those children who are burden on their poor parents and country. He wants to say that this would be a real service to the public, and one which should really be appreciated.

In another sense there is also a satire in this piece of the excerpt in the usage and stress on words "fair, cheap and easy". Jonathan Swift is satirizing government's economy-centered policies. Government wants a fair, cheap and easy solution of issues which should be government's priority to solve at every cost. In fact this point of view of satire in this excerpt is more correct than the options provided.