The Satirical View on a Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

Charity Eady

Mrs. Mary M. Sawyer

English 272

March 30, 2015

The Satirical View on A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

        Satire is a form of literature in which the author uses humor, exaggeration, or ridicule to

demonstrate his or her point of view. The author uses satire and irony in order to criticize a

public matter. A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift is a perfect example since it is considered

one of the finest works of satire in world literature. It is a short satirical essay in which Swift

shows annoyance with the political situation in Ireland during the 1700's. In this period of time,

Ireland was being abused by the English and Swift wrote this essay to foreground the terrible

situation. He uses a harsh tone to get his point across in his proposal. Since Swift does not have a

 wife nor children, this proposal would not affect him; therefore he has no personal interest. In

 this essay Swift attacks the issue of the English and Irish politics. The essay sarcastically

suggest that the English and the wealthy of Ireland are causing the poverty and misery of the

population and Ireland's economic problems would be quickly solved by putting the children

from Irish families on the food market. Through overemphasis, Swift's essay provides a good

understanding on the themes of human greed, corruption, and ignorance.

A Modest Proposal is written with the motive to create thought and action by utilizing satire to lampoon the current political structure of the day.