A Modest Proposal and Other Satires Lesson Plan

In the religious parable, what does the learned brother do to get what he wants? How does this choice change him? How might this change serve as a satire of organized religion?

Students should observe that the learned brother justifies his desire to adopt new luxury fashions on his coat by reinterpreting his father's will. At first, he uses legal concepts to make his father's will agree with his desires. Gradually his justifications become more and more liberal, and less and less justifiable, until he adds a 'codicil' to the will of his invention. Finally, he and his two brothers lock up the will, agreeing to avoid reading it unless absolutely necessary.

As he allows...