"A Modest Proposal" By Jonathon Swift
In 1729, Jonathon Swift published one of the most controversial writings of all time. "A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to their Parents or Country, and for Making them Beneficial to the Public," or, now simply known as "A Modest Proposal". This work has a barrage of literary techniques, including satire, irony, and criticism.
At a time when Ireland, Jonathon Swift's home country, was poverty stricken, someone had to accept blame. Because Ireland was a colony of the British, Swift felt they were responsible. The people of Ireland were starving and dying, yet no one seemed to notice or care. It seemed nothing could get the attention of the British, until Swift stepped in. He knew the only way to get attention would be to do something outrageous and unthinkableĀ
and he did.
Swift's modest proposal suggested Irish poverty could be solved by the sale of the children of the poor for consumption. This way, no one would be hungry, and Swift assured that children were the finest of cuisine. Here is a short statement to help understand exactly what Swift was suggesting:
"I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout."
Of course Swift was not serious when he wrote the piece. This style of writing is called satire. Swift is simply pointing out British shortcomings by using sarcasm and irony. He does not truly believe what he wrote, nor did he have the same values as the "persona" he has created in the essay.
The passage is also about criticism. Swift goes to great lengths to imply the British government is greedy, hypocritical and insensitive. Greedy by recognizing the problem, and still...
View Full Essay