Satire is defined as “the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice or folly”. In Johnathon Swift’s, “A Modest Proposal”, Swift attacks the societal issues in Ireland by taking a satiric approach. Swift uses the common traits found in the genre to provide his view on the overpopulation and poverty-stricken children in Ireland. This piece of literature is a prime example of the genre of satire, because it shows the conventions commonly found in the texts. An article written by Jack Winner states, “that satire must be sharp” (Winner 65). This idea of “sharpness” can be found in the text where he begins to write about the idea of eating children. The idea of eating children is a very morbid and “sharp” idea. Another popular concept found in Swift’s text is apophasis. Apophasis is “a rhetorical device wherein the speaker or the writer brings up a subject by either denying it. Or denying that it should be brought up. Accordingly, it can be seen as a rhetorical relative of irony.” Though there are many examples found in the text, one that sticks out is when he states “therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, ‘till he hath at least some glimpse of hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice.” He utilizes this rhetorical device to argue and put forth his point, and it is frequently found in works of satire, ultimately proving the satire in Swift’s text. 

Although Wendy Molyneaux’s, “I Am Sorry I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece”, is a blatant work of satire, it differs, in many ways, from Johnathon Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”. Swift utilizes the rhetorical device of apophasis throughout his texts, but Molyneux takes a different approach with caricature. Caricature is defined as “a portrayal of an individual or thing that exaggerates and distorts prominent characteristics so as to make them appear ridiculous.” It is commonly found in works of satire. Molyneaux uses this to prove a gender stereotype. She uses this work to prove the common stereotype that women were not funny, and pokes back at Christopher Hitchens. This text differs from Swift’s, in the way that she is more “straight-up” in her writing. When reading “A Modest Proposal” it takes the reader a bit longer to realize that her or she is reading a work of satire. But when reading Molyneux’s piece, you notice almost immediately. It is obvious that Molyneux’s is a lot more modern than that of Swift’s, but it also deals with issues found in the modern time. Both texts make you think deeper, as well as include some humor and non-reality that ques you into the satirical genre. An article by Elizabeth Young states “Satire has traditionally been a masculine genre, with satirists assuming positions of authority and power deemed appropriate to the male gender, and focusing much of their outrage and ridicule on women” (Young 185). This shows how Molyneux’s text differs from the norm. While it is stated that it is usually a man’s work, she differs by creating a great work of satire. 
