Discuss the similarities and differences in themes and ideas as shown in Stone Cold and Modest Proposal.

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Discuss the similarities and differences in themes and ideas as shown in Stone Cold and Modest Proposal

In this essay, I will compare two texts, which consider the theme of homelessness. The two texts I will compare will be Stone Cold a 20th century novel, the other A Modest Proposal a pre 20th satirical economic proposal.

       Stone Cold was written by Robert Swindells. The novel is mainly based on a boy called Link. Link is desperate to start a new life away from home and away from his brutish stepfather. In order to do so he leaves Bradford and travels to London, hoping for a new life. However, his hopes are shattered as his money runs out and he finds himself homeless alone and frightened on the cold streets of London. The aim of the author was to give an understanding of the hardships and dangers endured by people who live on the streets

A Modest Proposal is a pre 20th century pamphlet. It was written in 1729 by Jonathan Swift. Swift was often known by people as a brilliant and witty writer. His other works were also very good. Some of his works include Gullivers Travels and the Battle of the Books.

Although his books were very good, they sometimes had strange storylines. This made the public think that he was on the brink of insanity. As he got older this became a reality and this caused his death in 1745.

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The satire A Modest Proposal is also about homelessness. The difference in the storylines is that a Modest Proposal portrays a different view on homelessness. The narrator refers to homeless children as useless and a nuisance stopping their mothers from working.

There are significant differences between the two texts. Swindells wrote the thriller in 1993 because he himself had experienced living rough in the North of London. He was horrified by the by the conditions homeless people endured, and so he decided to publicise this matter

The above quote clearly shows the beliefs and feelings of Swindells. He wanted ...

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