Answer:
The purpose of the closing paragraph in "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift is to provide a final satirical twist to the essay and to reinforce the author's ironic tone. In the closing paragraph, Swift suggests that his proposal could be extended to include the sale of older children as food, as they would be too old to be useful for labor or other purposes. This proposal is even more outrageous and absurd than the original proposal to sell infants as food, and it serves to underscore the satirical nature of the essay. By presenting such a shocking and horrific idea as a solution to Ireland's economic problems, Swift is highlighting the absurdity of the economic and political systems that have led to such a state of affairs. The closing paragraph also serves to remind the reader that Swift's proposal is not meant to be taken seriously, but rather to provoke thought and reflection on the social and economic issues of his time.