Category: A Modest Proposal

In one of his many attempts to address Ireland’s deteriorating state of religious, political, and social crisis, Swift reportedly wrote to Alexander Pope in 1729 that his country was ‘absolutely undone, as I have been telling it often in print these ten years past,’. In his essay A Modest Proposal, Swift satirizes the worsening condition of famine in Ireland and the maltreatment of the poor. A suggestion is as diabolical as cannibalism and is put forward mockingly as a considerably ‘better’ proposal to any previous solutions made by the government. Swift emphasizes the lack of human ties within society- more predominantly the lack of social responsibility between the upper class and the working class. Written from the perspective of a narrator completely detached from his ties and compassion for humanity, Swift’s critical argument that the government, and others, are treating the poor as less than human is made apparent.

The first human tie addressed by Swift is presented through the dichotomy of the rich and the poor people of Ireland. Through his utilization of Juvenalian satire, Swift suggests that the relentless pursuit of luxury that persists amongst the elite social groups has evolved into a flavor for almost unconceivable delicacies. The extreme exploitation of the poor is referenced through the hideous satirical image of ‘skin of which artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen,’ which accentuates the upper class’s desire for life’s fragilities and items of material value. This image is somewhat reminiscent of the cruelty in animal leather and fur trades, where animals are captured, tortured, and exploited for their hide, conjuring the initial motif of the poor as compared to animals. It is questionable whether Swift intends to critique animal rights issues here, however, it is observable that the speaker is commenting on the futility of such materialism- why should a species have to suffer for another to be satisfied? Despite the utter grotesquery in this statement, it is notable that Swift recognized the upper class as the most appropriate audience for A Modest Proposal, having the ability to transform Ireland’s excessive poverty and the depressive economic circumstances that materialized alongside their decadence. Acknowledging Irish literacy records in the early eighteenth century, (72 percent of the population were estimated to be illiterate) most of the working class would not have been able to read or even comprehend such a deeply satirical essay, again reinforcing that the wealthy class was Swift’s primary target. Before starting the proposal explicitly, the narrator explains the compensations of his solution, for example using the convincing phrasing ‘another great advantage in my scheme,’ (p.20) almost creating the caricature of a salesman. The essay form almost ridicules eighteenth-century governments and politicians who would raise similarly structured proposals and issues with the same surety and matter-of-fact expression. This mockery is again shown in the hypocrisy of the proposer, who explains that his solution will ‘prevent those abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas, too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes,’ (p.20) when murdering ‘innocent babes,’ is part of his own proposal. This ironic tone is embedded to exemplify the ongoing passivity of the Irish government as the speaker acknowledges that ‘[they] can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal’ (p.28). As Nokes argues “The key to the proposal is the voice of the proposer,” which appears to be that of a practical economist who is concerned with numbers and statistics rather than human beings. On the other hand, Gunnarsdóttir argues that ‘The humanitarian projector in the proposal is concerned about the welfare of the impoverished Irish public and he presents a solution to poverty and starvation.’ This is debatable, given that the projector himself shows no real concern or empathy for the poor, instead taking the role of the unconcerned withdrawn figure to indicate the lack of human ties existent in society. It is conceivable that when Gunnarsdóttir references that of a ‘humanitarian projector,’ this description is in fact more applicable to Swift himself- a moralist- who is simply masking his concern through a veil of satire. This is again shown in referring to children as ‘no saleable commodity,’ (p.21) which connotes the image of a product or object, indicating again how the narrator is focused on monetary value rather than the circumstances of the impoverished.

There seems to be a human tie that develops between the speaker and the reader throughout. Swift urges us to question our own moral compasses as the disregard for any social conscience is highlighted in the mistreatment of the poor throughout the proposal. He places rhetorical questions near the middle of the essay, to which he begins to state his proposal, not only using satire to question the government and people of his intelligence but also the morality of us as the reader. The proposer contemplating “How this number shall be reared, provided for?” (20) almost directly criticizes the lack of attention to poverty-stricken people, overpopulation, and unemployment. Yet, paired with the outrageous solution of selling children into a meat market Swift encapsulates audience attention and concern more effectively. Contextually, it is likely that the concept of A Modest Proposal was established in an act of desperation. McBride discusses the politics within A Modest Proposal and clarifies that Swift had raised proposals concerning the lamentable state of Ireland and poverty multiple times with no further success. In his essay An Answer to a Paper, Called a Memorial of the Poor Inhabitants, Tradesmen, and Labourers of the Kingdom of Ireland (1728), ‘“Swift recalled his vain attempts to rouse Irish public opinion at [his] own peril for several years past’”. Therefore, it is no wonder that Swift published his piece of satire- a proposal this appalling and inhumane would inevitably raise public attention.

A Modest Proposal criticizes the human ties between the Irish and English, examining the discriminatory system of aristocracy, and despite the absurdity suggested in the proposal not being a reflection of Swift’s true ideas, there is a clear human tie between the narrator and Swift. Both the narrator and the speaker share the same opinions on impecuniousness in Ireland and the political hegemony England had over the country. Ferguson and Fleischmann propose that “in their conception of the Irish as beasts, Swift and the projector are one”. This dislike of Irish politicians, England’s exploitation, and the complicit wealthy are reflected in Swift’s earlier works also. ‘The Drapier’s Letters’ notably explores Ireland’s lack of autonomy in comparison to England, for instance in the statement “Am I a freeman in England, and do I become a slave in six hours by crossing the channel?” which expresses his dislike to the absence of sovereignty in his country. There are several anti-colonial attitudes expressed also by the speaker, one being the “very knowing American of my acquaintance in London” who assures him ‘that a young healthy child, well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food.’ (21) This presents the polemic that a concept so barbaric as cannibalism derived from ideology belonging to America and American colonies. Swift’s contempt for this hierarchy is expressed in his ‘devastating satire and total rejection of ruling-class culture, and in his passionate quest for a society free from exploitation and domination,’ throughout the essay.

Overall, A Modest Proposal is a revolutionary example of satire. In agreeance, McBride argues that ‘Swift’s Modest Proposal (1729) is widely regarded as the most brilliant satire in the English language’. The utilization of Juvenalian satire expresses Swift’s own disdain towards the landed elite and English colonizers and their descendants. By using deliberate irony and hypocrisy Swift convincingly portrays a caricature matched to the likes of a government MP. Detaching the speaker from any human emotion and creating a nonchalant persona allows Swift to effectively mimic the lack of concern towards famine from government officials at the time. Dehumanization is a fundamental motif throughout the essay. To reduce and objectify the impoverished to nothing more than economic data, the poor are reduced to less than human, comparable to slaves. Animalistic imagery likewise indicates the poor’s treatment; they are ‘commodit[ies]’ (p.21) to be bred like farm animals. Ultimately in reducing their ties to humanity, Swift presents them as insignificant in the eyes of the rich. In summary, it is the lack of social responsibility for humanity that is suggested as the primitive problem by the proposer. As a moralist, Swift stresses that Ireland’s excessive poverty and the depressive economic circumstances in the country have to be improved, however, it is the lack of human ties preventing this transformation.

Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is renowned for its masterful use of verbal irony, employing a satirical tone to critique the socio-economic conditions of 18th-century Ireland. Through this essay, Swift unveils the harsh reality of poverty and starvation while simultaneously mocking the callous attitudes of the ruling class towards the poor. This essay will delve into the intricacies of verbal irony in “A Modest Proposal,” exploring how Swift employs this literary device to convey his scathing social commentary.

One of the most striking instances of verbal irony in Swift’s essay is the proposal itself: the suggestion that impoverished Irish families should sell their children as food to wealthy individuals. Swift presents this idea with a straight-faced seriousness, detailing the economic benefits and culinary advantages of such a practice. However, the absurdity of the proposal serves as a biting indictment of the indifference and cruelty of the ruling class towards the plight of the poor. By advocating for such a horrifying solution to poverty, Swift exposes the moral bankruptcy of those who exploit and oppress the impoverished population.

Furthermore, Swift employs verbal irony through his use of exaggerated praise for the Irish people and their resilience in the face of adversity. Throughout the essay, Swift employs flowery language to describe the virtues and qualities of the Irish, praising their resourcefulness and perseverance. However, this praise is undercut by the grim reality of poverty and destitution that the Irish people endure. By juxtaposing lofty praise with the dire conditions of the Irish poor, Swift highlights the hypocrisy and insincerity of those who espouse empty platitudes without taking meaningful action to alleviate suffering.

Moreover, Swift employs verbal irony to critique the British government’s ineffective policies and exploitation of Ireland. Throughout the essay, Swift adopts the persona of a rational and logical thinker, presenting statistical data and economic calculations to support his proposal. However, beneath the veneer of reasonableness lies a scathing indictment of British colonialism and the policies that have contributed to the impoverishment of Ireland. By framing his proposal within the context of British economic interests and colonial exploitation, Swift exposes the hypocrisy of those who profit from Ireland’s misery while offering empty promises of assistance.

In conclusion, Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is a masterful example of verbal irony, employing a satirical tone to critique the socio-economic conditions of 18th-century Ireland.

Through his proposal to sell children as food and his exaggerated praise for the Irish people, Swift exposes the callousness and hypocrisy of the ruling class towards the plight of the poor. Moreover, by framing his proposal within the context of British colonialism, Swift highlights the exploitation and indifference that perpetuate poverty and suffering. Thus, “A Modest Proposal” stands as a timeless masterpiece of satire, using verbal irony to provoke reflection and challenge prevailing attitudes towards poverty and social inequality.

Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is a masterpiece of satirical literature, wielding sharp wit to address societal issues. This essay will delve into key questions about satire within the work, exploring how Swift employs humor to comment on serious matters and the implications of his approach.

1. How does Swift use satire to highlight the absurdity of his proposal?

In “A Modest Proposal,” Swift suggests that impoverished Irish parents sell their children as a solution to their economic struggles. Through this outrageous proposal, Swift satirizes the callousness of British policies towards Ireland. The absurdity of the proposal serves as a vehicle to reveal the harsh realities faced by the Irish population.

2. What elements of the essay indicate that it is meant to be satirical?

Swift employs various satirical devices to convey his point. He adopts a serious tone and presents statistical data to give his proposal an air of credibility, only to reveal the shocking absurdity later. This sharp contrast between the seriousness of the issue and the ludicrousness of the solution is a classic element of satire.

3. How does Swift use irony to criticize British oppression?

Through irony, Swift criticizes British oppression by highlighting their exploitation of Ireland’s resources and people. He suggests that the Irish are a burden on the British economy, playing on the perception that the Irish were viewed as inferior by the British elite. This satirical twist invites readers to question the British perspective.

4. What societal issues is Swift targeting with his satire?

Swift’s primary target is British policies and attitudes towards the Irish population. He aims to expose the British exploitation and indifference towards the suffering of the Irish. Additionally, he satirizes the prevailing economic theories that prioritize profit over human welfare.

5. How does Swift’s use of humor help convey his criticism effectively?

Swift’s use of humor acts as a Trojan horse for his critique. By masking his criticism with humor, he engages readers and allows them to confront uncomfortable truths without immediately dismissing his arguments. The irony and exaggeration in his proposal engage readers emotionally and intellectually, prompting them to question societal norms.

6. How does Swift’s proposal reflect the dehumanization of the poor?

The proposal to sell children for economic gain underscores the dehumanization of the poor in society. By treating people as commodities, Swift highlights the desperation and hopelessness faced by impoverished families. This underscores his larger commentary on how the wealthy elite disregard the suffering of the poor.

7. What contemporary issues can be connected to Swift’s satire?

Swift’s satire on economic exploitation and callousness towards the suffering of the poor remains relevant today. It can be connected to issues such as income inequality, exploitation of marginalized communities, and government policies that prioritize profit over social welfare.

8. Does Swift’s use of satire minimize the seriousness of the issues he addresses?

While Swift employs humor and exaggeration, his intention is not to minimize the seriousness of the issues. Rather, he uses satire as a tool to draw attention to the gravity of the situation by presenting it in an unexpected and shocking manner. His satire prompts readers to reflect deeply on the issues at hand.

9. How does Swift’s satire challenge the reader’s perspective?

Swift’s satire challenges readers to question their assumptions and biases. By presenting a morally repugnant proposal, he forces readers to confront their own reactions and examine the broader societal context that allows such proposals to emerge. This challenges readers to consider the underlying systems perpetuating the issues.

10. What is the ultimate message or call to action within Swift’s satire?

While Swift’s proposal may seem absurd, his ultimate message is a call for empathy, compassion, and social responsibility. By shocking readers with the extremes of his proposal, he encourages them to recognize the urgent need for systemic change to address the suffering of the Irish poor.

In conclusion, “A Modest Proposal” is a prime example of how satire can be employed to address serious societal issues. Swift’s use of irony, exaggeration, and humor serves as a powerful tool to critique British oppression, challenge societal norms, and prompt readers to reflect on larger systemic problems. Through his satirical lens, Swift invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths and advocate for meaningful change.

A modest proposal

Today with the 4.0 scientific and technological revolution, messages or information of users are sent by clicks or entered on social media such as Messenger, Instagram, and hundreds of social networking sites other. Social networks have connected people all over the world, erasing the distance of space and time thanks to that fast speed and convenience. Of the overuse of social networks, young people nowadays practice their own unhealthy lifestyle – virtual life. Let us ask ourselves what will happen if we keep immersing ourselves in the unrealistic way of life. In the old days, people often wrote letters and waited for replies for a very long time because the far of the distance, and the means of transportation inconvenience. Should we improve these issues by destroying modern smartphones and social networking sites? Return to the Stone Age so that we don’t get overwhelmed by the temptation of social media.

Today, we can easily see the image of young people plugged into their phones to surf social networks. Believe me, the time we live in the virtual world is more than the time we spend in reality. To prevent people who will get lost in the way of things like that. The only way we can do it is to completely eradicate social media and electronic devices from around the world. If we can eliminate all that, people will return to a normal life, we will no longer matter in terms of ‘virtual life’ anymore, which will make things more interesting. Specifically, thanks to government intervention, electrical equipment, and social media will be confiscated and taken to a place called a tech morgue to burn and destroy every electronic device in the world. In the future, the state will give strict laws on technology issues. Do not allow anyone or any form to make illegal social media. For the common good of the community and the future not to be engulfed in delusions, we should act decisively. Those who are found to possess or have any intention of profiting from social media will be penalized appropriately. A misdemeanor is when using the media, the punishment for that is long-term imprisonment. A more serious crime is that when stored and passed on to others for use, the punishment may be imprisonment or worse, and may be sentenced to death. Then this society is not affected by the negative influence of the media anymore.

Once this becomes a reality, then it is time for human civilization to flourish. The ban on electronics and social media makes it possible that this society will one day be safer, and people will live in a more realistic world. For example, if the means and gaming machines are no longer available, then the odds of being near-sighted or their poor eyesight will not increase. As children will not spend hours and hours looking at the screen of their phone or computer. Or for adults, when phones are removed from life, people will focus on their driving and work. They will not be distracted, which will not lead to unfortunate traffic accidents, and their jobs will be successful before the deadlines. Nowadays the world especially young people has suffered from an extremely serious disease which is obesity. The cause of this serious problem is that they spend too much time watching TV and eating fast food while sitting in front of the TV. The solution to this is, of course, to get rid of television and social media. Encourage people to actively go home to exercise and due to exercise, then the obesity rate will be reduced to an acceptable way. Example for the problem in my school that I am assigned homework, especially essays or subjects that require my own thinking, I will not be able to use computers to perform tasks on my behalf, so the rates of plagiarism will not be increasing because I have nowhere to copy or consult for my essays. Although the essays when completed will not be good and actually really bad, they will appreciate my learning ability without any fraud. Society will be more and more developed and advanced since positive energy comes from the absence of social media, and everyone deserves to be happy.

In today’s life, as technology advances, we should properly recognize its role in each person’s life. That is to understand that it is a tool to serve our lives, do not turn it into an invisible controller and let it dominate our lives. We have missed too many different options to solve this serious problem. Parents who teach their children, they want their children not to be passionate about social networking sites. Parents can encourage children to spend time with family, meet friends, read socialize, or do other things. This way, kids and even we will actually forget about the time we are wasting on useless social networking sites. Instead, it accumulates new skills and develops children’s creativity from extracurricular classes and communication skills when learning from the outside. But ‘forcing’ a child to give up using social media is hard to do in ‘one night’. It means that parents do not persistently follow and closely follow the actions of their children because they are busy making money, worrying, and living for the life of the children but forget about educating their children, buying computers for their children to serve needs learning, but did not expect it to create conditions for me to stick with, depend on it. So I think the easiest thing is to cancel it because if the media no longer exists, no one will be attracted to it anymore. The school should also have timely educated its students. Teach them extracurricular activities, propaganda them life skills education in general, and the harmful effects of social networks. But in case the biggest reason is still the addict. Social media addiction is like alcoholism or drug addiction. Social addicts always feel satisfied when surfing Facebook, and Instagram … They will feel so down and empty when they can not use them and then realize that they are too dependent and difficult to get out. Those addicted themselves need to be sober and alert, awake and self-mastery. Find yourself a joy in daily life, open your heart, and communicate with people, you will realize there are many wonderful and interesting things around you. But if we cannot get rid of that temptation, then the reception of bad and false information leads to misleading and wrong perceptions. People using social networks are often lazy to mobilize, resulting in the syndrome of numbness in the joints, back pain, numbness in the neck and neck, and even leading to sudden death. Many strokes caused by gaming and web surfing have occurred in many countries around the world, alerting those who are spending a lot of time on this. That suggests approaching social networks is a big mistake. When we overuse it, taking virtual worlds instead of real life is an incredibly stupid job. Because of this, I once again affirm my measures are extremely safe and effective. Eliminating electrical equipment and media will create an increasingly prosperous society and save humanity from its doom in the future.

Finally, to be able to limit the current phenomenon of social media addiction, it requires largely the awareness of the user. We must be aware that the media is just a mere entertainment tool, and never let it make us parasitic on it. This ‘addiction’ also affects our own health very much. The result of that is the regret, the loss both physically and mentally. This is really dangerous that we can hardly predict. When we spend time online, we are immersed in an unrealistic virtual world. Once we come back into the real world, then we will feel abandoned, feeling strange, and it is impossible to determine for us the right direction in reality. Sometimes worse, we realize that our feelings for our parents are increasingly fractured, and our friends would shun us. Actually, social development is a good thing, a world in which friendships and exchanges are quick and closer together but it should be put in the right and reasonable direction. Therefore, each of us regardless of age needs to have a proper awareness about the use of media today. Let’s be passionate about our work, and dedicate our youth to community activities. Don’t let social media or electronic devices make us victims, and don’t waste time surfing the web, likes, or comments every day. These are useless things that are slowly destroying our lives. We need to allocate time for work, life, and social networks reasonably. We should refine the useful information in the virtual world to serve our lives. So, stay healthy, use social media appropriately, and let it be a means to help us grow and be better. Each of us, let’s reflect on ourselves, see what we have done over the past time, and how to use social networks. Is it too much of a waste of time for them? Put your phone down, and step into the real world with countless interesting and fascinating things waiting for us.

In this research paper, the purpose of this study will be to identify the differences and similarities between Oliver Goldsmith’s and Jonathan Swift’s satire. This paper will also compare and contrast the social criticism of Oliver Goldsmith and Jonathan Swift to today’s varying issues. Both Oliver Goldsmith and Jonathan Swift had many things in common about their writing styles that make them very interesting for scholars to compare them to each other. Both of these writers used a large amount of satire in their writings. Most of the satire was directed towards social matters, mainly the unfairness that was happening in Ireland.

Oliver Goldsmith was raised in Ireland and his childhood was somewhat of a disappointment to him. Continuing into his adult life, Oliver had trouble finding what he was good at for work so he tried a multitude of various occupations. It wasn’t until 1757 that Oliver started writing periodicals, for various companies. He submitted about 10 periodicals from 1757 through 1762. Oliver would use satire throughout his works but not too heavily because he was a compassionate person in character still. One of Oliver’s most famous works known for his humorous satire was The Citizen of This World, this book was published in 1762. This book is all about a Chinese professor that lives in London and they are all about the wide experiences he has had. A writing topic that Oliver focused on in his time was he would write on how there were so many poor and he really felt bad for them. He spoke about the poor in England, and in his book The Deserted Village he said that “the rich man’s joys increase the poor decay”. In his book, he focuses on how the wealthy make the poor poorer because they have to move from their villages, all because of greed. Goldsmith in his writing uses satire, but takes an approach of trying to sympathize with readers to get them to feel sympathy for the subjects that he is writing about.

Jonathan Swift was born and raised in Dublin Ireland, and was raised religious, which eventually him being ordained in the Anglican church in 1694. Swift started writing satirical pieces at a young age while he was a secretary to Sir William Temple in England. Two of his works that were the first of many to be published were The Tale of The Tub and The Battle of The Books. The Tale of the Tub was written with satire to talk about the corruption in learning and religions. The Battle of The Books was written to emphasize the importance of classical learning, which he thought would be a good book with all the modern authors coming up. Jonathan’s most known work was his satirical essay “The Modest Proposal”. This essay put emphasis on the condition of the poor in Ireland, and how he felt about the topic. A lot like Goldsmith, Swift was looking at the income differences in his native country and wrote a satirical essay about how much of an injustice the difference between the wealthy and the poor was there. Swift in his approach uses heavy satire to try to make readers agree with him. An example from the essay “The Modest Proposal” is that he was telling society to just eat the poor because they are nothing more.

Both Jonathan Swift and Oliver Goldsmith felt for their people in Ireland and England and wrote about the sad reality of the difference between the poor and the rich. The same kind of thing happens today in modern society, the rich could do so much to help the poor but they don’t because of greed. The rich could help the poor and most of them wouldn’t notice anything different in their lavish lifestyles. This could be applied to the past times and Modern times. Most of the excuses used by wealthier people today are that the poor got themselves in the ditch so they need to get themselves out and that isn’t being compassionate about the topic.

Its normal to believe that if you have only grew in good living conditions and don’t know anything better, then you’ll automatically assume everyone else must also have good living conditions. When you first encounter someone who didn’t live well you would think that it’s because of something they did. This has been a common thing from the beginning of time and is still common today. “A Modest Proposal” published by Johnathan Swift in 1729 is set in Ireland where the population increased “… from less than 2 million in 1700 to nearly 5 million in 1800.” (Tim Lambert). The Irish families suffered and from Britain’s power to legislate over them. Several laws made against them like the Act of 1704, stated that “Catholics could not buy land. They could not leave their land to a single heir, and they could not inherit land from Protestants.” (Tim Lambert).

The title , “A Modest Proposal” displays sarcasm in itself. It dismisses and undermines the reality of Irish living by comparing the worth of children to the worth of a common meal. Paragraph four, Swift explains his solution, which is unexplainable. He thinks the solution to save the Irish population is to kill Irish babies. Swift also proposes that the babies should be eaten to feed the country and to clothe thousands. The paper does a good job of showing how morally and ethically wrong the British can be and showing how the Irish choose to react to it.

Swift used Juvenalian satire to explain the problems of the Irish and how they were really their own enemy. In the first words of the essay, “It is a melancholy object to those who walk through this great town…”(Swift ) Instead of addressing the feelings of the oppressed, he says how it is depressing for the people not suffering to see them begging.Mothers, unable to work for their livelihood, ‘are forced to employ all their Time’ struggling for food.(Swift )

“…it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children” (Swift ).A sarcastic statement that judges them on their religious choices. Irish people are traditionally Catholics who do not believe in abortions which explains why they have such large families. Some have an abortion, to avoid feeding another human being. Families that do a good job of saving and taking care of their money can provide them with more things of their liking and can contribute to the well being of the community.

Neoclassicism emerged from a literary movement in Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The word neoclassicism was taken from the word “neo” in Greek which means “new” and the term “classic” refers to the type and works of ancient Greek and roman writers. It is the rebirth of classicism. It was a literary movement that focused heavily on the resurrection of the classical style in the time of Dryden and pope. In Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” features of the neoclassical era are illustrated through logic, a realistic representation of humans and satire. The title in itself contains satiric irony seeing that the paper itself is far from modest. In this essay, his use of neoclassical characteristics such as logic, reason, satire and irony to enlighten the troubles and repression that the Irish people have faced is going to be discussed.

The aspect of logic isn’t missing when swift proposes an answer for the impending economic crisis that Ireland is facing. In the lines “the mother will have eight shillings net profit and be fit for work till she produces another child” he suggests selling the children after fattening them up as a solution. He uses satire to bring out the humor in his words.

Furthermore, The use of irony is also not dismissed in the following lines “There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children” it is ironic because he is so disgusted by the idea of the murder of an unborn child yet he is suggesting something along the lines of cannibalism which is still the killing of a child and the abuse of one.

Moreover, the imperfect representation of a human being is a major neoclassical element implemented by swift in “A Modest Proposal”. In contrast to the works produced during the renaissance which portrayed humans as morally superior and ultimately faultless. Swift perpetuates a realistic idea of man as being full of faults. An example of this would be “a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled.” Swift nonchalantly discusses the various ways in which an infant can be cooked, insinuating the callousness directed from the rich towards the lower class and their poor living conditions in Ireland.

Regardless of the classification of this essay as political satire, it is meant to address issues that are much deeper than politics like the poverty present in the Irish and English communities. Overall, in order to fully comprehend the deep dimensions that exist within this essay, one must overlook the satirical irony and be willing to view it through an empathetic and human lens.

Rhetorical analysis Paragraphs

In the text, “A Modest Proposal”, the author Jonathan Swift uses multiple different rhetorical devices. Hyperbole is definitely one rhetorical device that Swift uses throughout the text. This rhetorical device is a great exaggeration of fact, used whether for serious or comic effect. This clearly is used by Swift in his writing and using this rhetorical device makes the reader more engaged in the text and it just overall makes it more exciting to read. Swift says, “These mothers, instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg sustenance.” This is clearly an exaggeration of the truth and swift does this multiple times throughout his text. In this quote, Swift claims that mothers are stuck in one position that is begging for sustenance, this is clearly an exaggeration of the truth. Therefore, hyperboles are clearly one of several rhetorical devices that Swift uses throughout the text.

Throughout “A Modest Proposal”, Jonathan Swift the author, uses irony as a rhetorical device. Now this is a much more broad rhetorical device that he uses because the writing as a whole shows irony less than specific quotes. Irony is a method of humorous or sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning of the words is the opposite of their usual meaning. That being said, irony is definitely arguable the most obvious rhetorical device that Jonathan Swift uses in the text. The text shows irony because he literally claims that families should eat their children as a solution to prevent them from having to take care of them. Swift claims that this is a fair, cheap, and easy Method. This is clearly irony because this is obviously not a good thing to do, and it wouldn’t solve the problem of not being able to provide for your children.

In “A Modest Proposal”, the author Jonathan Swift uses emotional words as a rhetorical device. This is a quite obvious rhetorical device that Swift uses because he uses it often throughout the text. Emotional words are simply the use of words likely to engage strong emotions in the audience. One example is from the beginning of the text, Swift says, “I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom”

One of the most employed literary tools during the restoration period was satire in Britain. A club known as the Scriblerus club was formed by Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift and John Gay. These literary geniuses made satire what it is today and made an impact on society, in order for change. The two very different modes of satire in my opinion best captures the spirit of the period 166-1760 because Alexander Pope mainly focused on making a parody of high-class society, addressing issues in association with morals and politics, which is shown in ‘The Rape of the Lock’ that reveals how there must be a change in how society views of such trivial matters by epic conventions in a poem. Whereas Jonathan Swift utilises a sinister technique displayed in ‘A Modest Proposal’ to express his hatred towards those he saw as corrupt, such as the upper-class and institutions during a time of economic crisis in Ireland.

Pope’s poem uses mock epic conventions to satirise the upper-class society during the restoration period. In order to maintain appropriate appearance, Belinda, as a rich woman with a strong influence in her society clearly has an obsession with her looks. Before a battle, a hero wears armour that protects them, in this instance Belinda’s beauty consists of ‘India’s glowing gems’, ‘Arabia breathes’ and hair pins made from ‘tortoises’ and ‘elephants’ as her armour that attracts men and jealousy of women. Furthermore, she is aided by her maid who looks after and dresses her which shows how infantized upper-class people are; having no responsibility over themselves and wasting money on expensive things that are not necessary. Pope accentuates the fact that the restoration society values physical beauty over intelligence when describing Belinda’s perfection ‘if belles had faults to hide; if to her share come female errors fall.’ Implying if this woman had any flaws, a simple look at her face forgives them. The author goes as far as to creating mythical creatures such as ‘Nymphs’ which are symbolic of reminding the readers the main value of the society in this time period. In epic convention, a hero would pray to God yet Belinda admires herself in her own reflection and practically worships her image. This implies the upper-class of London at that time saw religion as insignificant and beauty as more importance; this is displayed when Belinda’s maid, also a priestess performs beautifying rituals, moreover Belinda wears a ‘sparkling cross’ as a fashion statement and not an act of piousness. Thus, the poem exhibits the ludicrousness of the upper-class people due to their interests heavily focused upon materialism and beauty.

Pope’s exaggeration in this poem is to prove how the upper-class society must change in order to forgive and forget such trivial matters. The characterisation of Belinda is basically that of a Goddess, from how divine her beauty is. The satire he provides in the poem critiques society’s questionable core values during the restoration period, yet he lightens the weight upon women and imposes responsibility towards the Catholic institution overall. It was up to the ‘Sylphs’ and other magical creatures to protect her after she forgets about a ‘dire disaster’ when she receives a ‘Billet-doux’. The convention of this mock epic poem is demonstrated when Baron desperately wants Belinda’s lock of hair for his ‘altar’ and cuts off her hair which ignites an intense argument which is Pope’s depiction of a battle that a hero would usually enter, for example in the epic poem ‘Beowulf’, the protagonist had to fight three battles. Insinuating from the title ‘The Rape of the Lock’ the heavily explicit word ‘rape’ symbolised the theft of hair. Pope addresses how upper-class society takes such trivial matters too seriously, ‘Screams of Horror’, ‘Shrieks to pitying Heav’n are cast’ and his semantic field of innuendos is covered up by phrases like ‘staining of the gown’ to lighten the event and prove that things like this happen on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, this also suggest Pope’s criticism towards women’s femininity being fragile and obvious criticism to the upper-class because there are other matters that society, especially the rich, should pay more responsibility and attention to.

One of the most popular satire works of Swift’s is a political pamphlet expressing his concern that Irish people have to change in a diction of parody. He does this in a rather horrifying way, as it appears to the reader that Swift suggests eating children. Swift describes them as ‘most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food’ which displays a grotesque image but also depicts the frustration in Swift’s views, because this problem could be solved easily. To provoke the rich and ignorant in society, Swift’s satire was used in the form of irony because these people were particular suspects for not distributing any wealth to healthily circulate within the Irish economy and that the only way to save the failing economy is cannibalism. This contrasts with the title, as this solution is far from ‘modest’ displays his genius because it brings the reader to critically think about their current situation. The rich treat the poor like animals, stripping them of their individuality instead of taking responsibility and neglect thinking about how their luxurious lives negatively impact the lives of others. The decline of harvest during the 1720s meant that many people, especially the poor starved whilst the rich never experienced suffering. This shows how the consumption of babies from poor families indicate ‘the number of people will be thereby much lessened’, suggesting that eating children is not morally wrong at this stage which adds on the to the irony and makes a fair point that it would actually elevate the economy. Thus, Swift believes the rich should be held accountable for their naivety because they are meant to be educated, and accordingly uses outrageous imagery and irony as a shock tactic to galvanize them to change for the better.

Therefore, satire accomplished capturing the spirit of the restoration period through the works of Pope and Swift as it reveals the desperate need of a transformation because it brought awareness of how society treated the poor with ill manners, focused highly on beauty and materialistic things. In ‘The Rape of the Lock’ Pope’s epic conventions were utilised to reveal the satiric purpose to ridicule the aristocrat’s behaviour in hopes that more prevalent issues in society would take priority. Swift similarly attacks the upper-class but viciously, reason being to jumpstart society into thinking critically because the way politicians were thinking were as outrageous as his ideas.

To normalize consuming the flesh of an organism from one’s own species might be an exposition to the unceasing poverty. Jonathan Swift, an Irish author and a well-known satirist, wrote “A Modest Proposal”, published in the year 1729. His argument includes a proposition wherein children from the penurious families should be eaten to prevent being a burden to their parents. Swift begins to defend his purpose by writing his essay in a satirical way, or by using humor, exaggeration and irony to criticize someone. He also utilizes pathos in his writings as a way of expressing what he feels about the politicians in his homeland. Accusing them of not trying to solve the conflicts of their country, more specifically with finding a solution for poverty.

Back in Swift’s time, writing pamphlets was implemented and he used words to express and enumerate different kinds of expositions that could help minimize the economic problems in Ireland. His major and most important point that he focuses on is about babies, actual human beings, that could be a potential source of food for the countrymen. This idea was suggested by him due to problems being faced in their economy. One of the obstacles being faced is poverty. This is very common in any shape or form such as its physical, social and economic element.

He then continues to expand his essay by pointing out evidence on why he can consider some people poor or living a deprived life. Specific details are mentioned when he describes what he observed in the community. These specific observations are helpful for the readers since this is Swift giving them a visual element about his argument. He says this in a form of storytelling as if he is reliving the moment when he saw the children on the streets.

In addition to his rhetorical strategies, he uses statistical data as a way of giving his credibility a boost. In the article, Swift concludes “that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed.” This is written in order for his readers or audience to trust him and rely on his words. When numbers, graphs and charts are being laid out, these make the readers think that the article or essay is said to be reliable because of the given data.

It can be considered that involving controversial issues is sort of a strategy to indirectly tell the readers that the author is out there being involved in the society. Swift advocates that his idea is an advantage since it will reduce the abortions being done by mothers who cannot afford to have a child to feed and provide for. This could be a little ironic because he promotes the idea that aborting or killing a child is a negative component in the society. On the other hand, his theory involves eating children which can be classified as abortion as well since it implies killing babies which killing can be defined as taking someone’s life.

In support of his suggestion, he adds conditions or the preferred qualifications of the babies who are going up for sale. This is considered as a strategy because people will tend to think about their options, as well as the pros and cons if they will be willing to participate in the said proposition. Some of the qualifications that are mentioned are first, children who are above twelve years of age are not applicable. Second, he included a weight limit which children of the same age range who exceed three pounds will be prohibited.

Another strategy that can easily catch someone’s attention when reading the essay is the evident use of his findings or research. Swift states “I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar’s child to be about two shillings per annum.” He spends so much time in this area that it is also the major component of his paper. He talks about how he already computed such data that are going to be relevant to his purpose. He provides plenty of information on how things will work, who will benefit, what will be deducted, what will be added, and the list goes on. This represents his attitude towards the concept that he is introducing. This is going to show the readers that he is actually serious about implementing this kind of activity.

Swift uses irony towards the end as his own way of telling or more likely daring anyone from his country to come up with a better solution than his. He is eager to have his “modest” proposal approved, for the main reason that his wife had already been through the birth-giving stage. His wife does not have the ability to reproduce anymore and lastly, Swift’s children have grown already which makes them ineligible for Swift’s theory. Overall, Swift’s written proposition has many different elements wherein people or readers will try to analyze whether he is serious about implementing such activity. Because of the exaggerated and out-of-the-ordinary baby-eating, it will be significantly difficult to tell. In addition to that, Swift achieves providing data and different solutions to convince his countrymen that this is the answer to their never-ending poverty and it will succeed without a doubt.

Works Cited

1. Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745. “A Modest Proposal”. Champaign, Ill.: Boulder, Colo.: Project Gutenberg; NetLibrary, 19901999.