- Published: September 10, 2022
- Updated: September 10, 2022
- University / College: University of South Florida
- Language: English
- Downloads: 20
Fiction and satire characterizes the two literature works; the modest proposal by Jonathan Swift and the Ones Who Walks Away from Omelas by Ursula Le Guin. Satire is a stylistic device that is used to communicate a serious issue in an indirect manner; fiction also serves the same meaning because it presents as issue to the audience in a similar manner. In essence, the two stylistic devices are critical in literature as they offer the audience a chance to inquire and interrogate the narrator’s statements in a more detailed manner. The Modest Proposal and the Ones Who Walks Away from Omelas present a social theme to the audience in a rather complex approach that is inspired by the circumstances and times in which the narrators were recounting these stories. Both satirical and fictional approaches form the foundations of defining the nature of the authors of literature works. In essence, the two stylistic devices define the complexity of the authors and pieces of literature. This essay is intends to examine how Jonathan Swift’s narration in the social protest work in the Modest Proposal compares with the narration of Ursula Le Guin’s narrator.
As a point of departure, the narrators in the Modest Proposal and The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas share a similarity in the usage of stylistic device approach. The themes in both cases are social in nature and the approach is inclined to satire in the case of the Modest Proposal and fiction in the case of The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. The theme of social protest and search for happiness takes the central point in Swift’s satirical story. On the other hand, the expedition to the city of Omela intends to seek for happiness. This is an indication that both authors have a similar thematic approach. In terms of the narrators’’ similarities, the aspect of confusing the audience is evident in both cases. The narrators do not present their views in a straightforward approach and this leaves the audience confused on what the narrators advocate for. Swift’s narrator mixes the audience on his views about the situation in Ireland’s economic status. Swift’s narrator presents an opinion that; the Ireland’s populace is suffering because of the egocentric interests of England, which are aimed at oppressing them. The narrator indicates his insecurity by advocating the selling of children from the poor backgrounds as meat to the oppressors. This move will save the parents of these children the cost of brining them up and providing for them.
The question that pops up in this scenario is whether the narrator is sincere and yet he confirms that he does not have child and his wife cannot sire. It is satirical that, the narrator advocates for the sale of children and yet he talks of the cultureless aspect associated with cannibalism. The narrator’s insincerity is seen throughout the story and by extension; the tone used in stating the aspect of selling of children comes out as aiming at reducing the Catholics instead of his insinuations that it will help the Irish people restructure their economic status. The most outstanding feature of this narrator is the use of children in presenting his views. This is a trap for the readers to have a figuratively image of the troubles the Irish people are undergoing under the British rule. In essence, the narrator wants the British to consider the Irish tribulations from a positive perspective and allow them to be independent.
On the other hand, the narrator in the The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas shares similarity with Swift’s narrator by embracing the use of reportorial tone to depict the essence of the expedition establishes the distance between the narrator and what he presents to the audience. The narrator presents a feminist perspective on the position the women assume in the society, however, she appears to be insincere in her imagination because the whole story of the expedition does not indicate that women are discriminated. The Expedition indicates the strength of a woman in the society. However, the narrator indicates that the search for happiness needs freedom. This point of argument tells the audience that the people of the city of Omelas are under a certain type of captivity and they need freedom. This follows the use of children by the narrator to seek sympathy from the colonialists.
It is imperative to note that, both narrators leaves uncomfortable imagery to the audience by nit stating their views about the prevailing circumstance in a straightforward approach. The overall understanding of this story brings us to the meeting point of the two stories that, the suffering talked about by the two authors is associated with the developing nations and the children are used as a scapegoat.