Which author is commonly associated with earlier works of social critique, such as "A Modest Proposal"?

The correct answer is Jonathan Swift, who is best known for his satirical writing, particularly in "A Modest Proposal." This work, published in 1729, is a prime example of social critique, where Swift uses irony and shocking absurdity to bring attention to the dire economic situation in Ireland and the treatment of the Irish people by the British ruling class. By suggesting that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic woes by selling their children as food to the rich, Swift highlights the inhumanity of British policies toward Ireland, prompting readers to reflect on the socio-political inequities of his time.

The other authors listed are significant figures in British literature but do not match Swift's level of social critique as powerfully as he does in "A Modest Proposal." John Locke, known for his contributions to political philosophy and Enlightenment thought, largely focused on ideas around government and individual rights rather than social satire. Alexander Pope was a poet renowned for his satire and epigrams, most famously in "The Rape of the Lock," but he did not address social issues as directly as Swift. Daniel Defoe is noted for his novels like "Robinson Crusoe," which, while containing elements of social observation, do not achieve the same