In Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," the Yahoos are depicted as embodying humanity's basest instincts—greed, cruelty, and savagery—suggesting they are entirely bad. Conversely, the Houyhnhnms represent reason, virtue, and a harmonious society, portraying them as entirely good. However, this stark dichotomy serves to critique human nature and societal flaws, as even the Houyhnhnms lack emotional depth and can be seen as overly rational and detached. Thus, Swift uses these contrasting groups to explore the complexities of morality rather than presenting a simple good-versus-evil narrative.
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