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Yawar Ali
Mrs. Wilson
English IV B
10 May 2013
A Proposal: Satire At Its Best
Many at times, the worlds most obvious problems are the ones least cared for. Poverty
has plagued society since its earliest stages to modern day very rarely is such a problem
tackled, and even more rarely on a monumental scale. In A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift
incorporates stinging Juvenalian satire, unrelenting usage of rhetoric as well as a disdainful tone
towards British colonialism to express the pitiful state of the Irish people stricken in poverty
under the rule of the English crown in order to convey his proposal to fixing Irelands economic
burdens. Swifts obvious far-fetched solution attempts to stir up his people in dealing with the
rampant problem plaguing the country.
Swift wastes no time to point out the blatant problems holding back Ireland: he quickly
sets up the situation to the reader, using careful diction to draw them in. With words such as
deplorable state of the kingdom (Swift 14) and helpless infants (Swift 8) he proceeds to
appeal to the emotions of his audience. Yet, he quickly dissipates the air of sincerity with his
solution to the problem: quite simply - eat the babies. They shall contribute to the feeding, and
partly to the clothing, of many thousands (Swift 35-36) he says. Its indeed very clear that
Jonathan Swift is either a crazy cook or an impressive satirist; by drawing on the alarm and
surprise of his audience to his proposed solution he makes them that much more aware of the
problem facing their country. Quite frankly the proposal put forth by Swift is hardly the panacea
for Irelands ills; it seems to cause more ethical complications on top of the multitude of

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economic dilemmas afflicting the nation. He goes on to state that this food will be somewhat
dear, and therefore very proper for landlords (Swift 101-102). Not only does he provide
incentive for the poor to carry through with his plan (not having to provide for the child but also
making money off it), but also appeals to the wealthy classes taste buds. By placing emphasis on
the [i]nfants flesh (Swift 104) and the primary season throughout the year (Swift 104) it will
be fresh, hes attempting to make human meat a hard sought commodity. Lastly, he completely
disregards other possible proposals to cure the problems of the Irish. He refuses to recognize the
taxing our absolutes at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloaths, nor household furniture,
except what is of our own growth and manufacture (Swift 256-257). Its easy to see his satire is
at full power in these passages since his entire presentation of his proposal is based off his
economist perspective, yet he rejects the fundamental principles of supply and demand that
other economists will overwhelmingly approve of. Instead, his close-minded argument seeks no
rebuttals (since he quickly presents and disproves their validity). Juvenalian satire is at play as he
utilizes harsh and quite cruel remarks in regards to the slaughter of innocent children in order to
provide for the masses while at the same time criticizing the very same people for their lack of
awareness of societys problems.
Throughout the essay, Swift appeals to the pathos of the people reading his pamphlet.
Right in the beginning, Swift paints the picture of streets crowded with beggars of the female
sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags and importuning every passenger for
alms (Swift 3-5). Clearly passages such as these are trying to appeal to the emotions of the
reader, to draw them into the problem at hand to get them more involved with the problems
inner working in order to hopefully get them to accept his solution. Yet, he repulses his audience
with the gruesome details of sacrificing the poor innocent babies (Swift 40). Later, he uses

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ethos in order to establish his credibility, since he starts to sound like a lunatic as he continues
with the specific points of his argument. Swift references merchants in order to bring sense to his
argument such as when he says I am assured by our merchants, that a boy or girl . . . is no
salable commodity (Swift 68-69). Hoping to garner the respect of the reader by using
professionals of their field, Swift establishes his own credentials. Soon after, he states, I have
been assured by a very knowing American . . . that a young healthy child . . . is at a year old a
most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food (Swift 77-79). By taking time to mention
someone overseas, the reader might think that Swift has taken his ample time to assemble his
argument and consolidate his source where in reality these credentials are merely figments of
Swifts storytelling. He incorporates neoclassical reason as another technique in order to
persuade his audience while using satire and wit from the time period to entertain and convey the
argument more effectively. Through the combination of both these traits, his pamphlet reflects
the fundamentals of Augustan literature: satire and personal exploration of individuals and
society which was very effective art style of the early 18th century.
Finally, the tone Swift uses exemplifies his distaste towards English rule over Ireland.
Although born as an Anglo-Irishman he longed for a career in England rather than carry out his
priestly duties in the Church of Ireland for the rest of his life. Though later in his life, Swift
published anonymous pamphlets and became an Irish patriot, defending Ireland against the
oppressive policies of the English rulers. His dislike of England is depicted clearly in the first
paragraph when he talks about how helpless infants grow up to either turn thieves for want of
work, or leave their dear native country to fight for the Pretender in Spain (Swift 8-10). The
Pretender undoubtedly refers to Englands monarch, James Stuart, and his wars overseas which
the Irish people were obliged to partake in. Further on, he proceeds to criticize the Catholics of

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the Pretender as the most dangerous enemies (Swift 191-192). His hate for England had
many facets: economic, political, and religious all of which he believes the English should
refrain from involving themselves in Irelands affairs.
With the usage of stinging satire, copious amounts of rhetoric and disdainful tone
Jonathan Swift is successful in illustrating Irelands problems of poverty and social despair in A
Modest Proposal. By incorporating universal human principles and structured argument, he is
able to convey his point and pique the interest of the reader to bring about change.

Work Cited
CUNY. "Introduction to Neoclassisism." Introduction to Neoclassisism. The City University of New
York, 17 Aug. 2000. Web. 09 May 2013.
Lovelock, Julian. "Restoration and Augustan Literature." University of Buckingham. N.p., n.d. Web. 09
May 2013.
Nestvold, Ruth. "The Augustan Age." The Augustan Age. N.p., 2001. Web. 09 May 2013.
Swift, Jonathan. A Modest Proposal. 1729. Quotidiana. Ed. Patrick Madden. 19 Dec
2007. 09 May 2013 .