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In his satirical essay, ‘A modest proposal’, Swift suggests a cheap and easy method to

solve Ireland’s terrible situation. Write an essay analyzing his ironic proposal. (300 - 400
words).

“A Modest Proposal” is a satire essay written by the Irish author Jonathan Swift in 1729. At the
time of this work, there was a cultural movement called enlightenment, which meant a change on
the people’s beliefs and a path to independent thoughts. In literature, this period is called “the
Augustans age”, the Augustan writers engaged their political and philosophical ideas through
urbane, often satirical verse as Swift did with this essay.

At the beginning, Swift abruptly describes the devastating situation that Ireland was experimenting
at the time “It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country,
when they see the streets, the roads, the cabin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by
three, four or six children, all in rags”. The writer expresses sympathy for the poor people and the
need of a quickly solution. Swift introduces ironically a well-reasoned solution to the problem , “I
shall therefore humbly propose my own thoughts… ”; his proposal states selling the children of the
poor to the wealthier families, as this will provide food, clothing, and will eventually decrease the
population, even in the title we see the irony present because his proposal is not modest or
humbly at all, he is actually introducing the idea of cannibalism.

Swift develops his proposal in a very formal and detail language, it is addressed to rich people
hence it is full of irony “…at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether
stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled.” It is expressed in a satire, exaggerating the way children will be
prepared so as to call the reader’s attention and make them react; he proposes that this food will
be proper for landlords “as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to
the children”, as their power has leave the parents of the kingdom with nothing, therefore eating
their children does not seem such a bad idea.

The author takes great part of his essay describing the benefits for both, rich and poor; “the poorer
tenants will have something valuable of their own” meaning that they will have profit from their
children. The amount of food will increase, besides there will be a new dish “…the profit of a new
dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom.” bringing new tourists as well.
Moreover, their skin will serve for fashion items “…the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make
admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.” However, at the end of his work he
expresses this change must be done immediately but he would not get involved in the idea, “I have
not least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work” again the satire is present
to make them see that they are actually the ones to blame for the country’s situation.

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