Abolition Quote by William S. Burroughs
“It's a tract against capital punishment in the genre of Swift's Modest Proposal. I was simply following a formula to its logical conclusion. Some people appear to have understood it. The publication of Naked Lunch in England practically coincided with their abolition of capital punishment. The book obviously had a certain effect.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Modest Proposal Parody, 1970
Using satire to extend a logical argument can reveal hidden consequences, but may be misinterpreted as endorsement.
In simple terms: Satire pushes ideas to extremes.
Key Takeaway
Use satire responsibly.
Themes
satire
ethics
law
politics
Mood
critical
ironic
Type
political
literary
When to use this quote
- legal reform debates
- literary analysis
- political commentary
- public policy discussions
Key Concepts
logic
rhetoric
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Is satire effective for social change?
- When does satire become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Readers may miss the ironic intent.
![“You have not been mistaken in supposing my views and feeling to be in favor of the abolition of war. Of my dispos[i]tion to maintain peace until its condition shall be made less tolerable than that of war itself, the world has had proofs, and more, perhaps, than it has approved. I hope it is…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/77f/thomas-jefferson-43_abolition_you-have-not-been-mistaken-in-supposing_184816.jpg)
