A Modest Proposal

Swift’s Proposal is not so Modest!

Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is a satirical essay meant to expose and attack the English for their unjust, oppressive methods. At the same time, he criticizes the Irish men and women for being unproductive with their money. Swift sets a serious tone in the opening paragraph by presenting the severe situation in Ireland. He continues to draw in the reader by suggesting solutions that will prevent the practise of abortion and murder. However, his proposals are so outrageous it captivates the reader to read more in hopes they pursue change in Ireland. Swift uses satire and irony to expose Ireland’s dehumanizing methods of economics, materialism, and overall humanity.

Swift’s beginning description of poverty in Ireland sets a serious tone for the essay. He starts off by explaining the daily routines of a poor, Irish beggar. He explains they are “forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants.” ***PARA # Swift proposes reduce poverty by having women sell their children for food. He claims that a mother can focus her time nurturing and feeding the baby, instead of begging. Once the child turns one “that a young child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled.” *** And he or she can be sold for “eight shillings per annum”. *** In turn not only will the mother profit off the trade, but she will rid herself of the fees that come with raising a child. His satire suggests that selling children is better than raising a child who may turn to a life of crime. Also, the implication of cannibalism symbolically satirizes two ideas; the rich eating the poor and the ways in which the Irish nation is being consumed. His proposal of eating children is the government not providing all people with equal opportunities to earn a living. He also blames the poor Irish for their inabilities to run their economy, making it easy for the rich English to come and take care over. Swift’s proposal of selling children for money would counter attack England’s, Cattle Act that prohibited Ireland from exporting their sheep and cattle during the main fattening season. The second Act is a ban of Irish livestock, beef, pork, and bacon, and when it was renewed a few years later it included mutton, beef, and cheese. (http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O245-CattleActs.html) The people of Ireland in the 1700’s depended on domestic trading and exporting their products in order to pay their rent, feed their families and take care of their live stock. The Act systematically eliminated Irish competition by only allowing imports from British colonies. This destroyed Ireland’s economy by disabling thousands from being able to provide their families with the necessities of life. Swift states by following his proposal the poor will be able to “pay their landlord’s