Jonathan Swift’s Humble Offerings Is a Discoverer of Social Problems

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

Jonathan Swift, in his works, often touches on issues that are considered relevant to this day. The same applies to the work “A Modest Proposal,” in which he addresses the problems of hunger, overpopulation, inequality based on racism, and social issues. Thus, Swift was able to reveal the difficulties mentioned earlier and also to predict the society of the future. This paper will focus on analyzing the issues raised by Jonathan Swift, as well as providing a semi-satirical analysis of the work itself and its outcome, complementing the author’s views and raising the issues to a new level.

Discussion

We must begin with the title of the pamphlet, which reads “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. It certainly more than makes complete sense of Swift’s essay. The situation of the mother and her six children reveals the overpopulation of society and how people suffer from such a development (Swift, 2019). Swift demonstrates how rotten culture is with its problems and that they need to be addressed even in a radical way. The author proposes to solve the two issues in one move, namely, to sell the children of the poor to wealthy Englishmen who are suffering from hunger (Swift, 2019). Obviously, the problem of hungry people is embellished for a satirical effect, but it is in the spirit of Swift and his mockery of society.

My solution to the problem assumes a slightly different vector. It consists in waging periodic wars between the states every five years. Only children between the ages of 6 and 16, criminals and mentally unstable people, and the elderly aged 70 and over can take part in these wars. [U1] First, it will solve the problem of overpopulation and also allow the spread of eugenics ideology, thereby elevating people over others and raising their self-esteem. Secondly, such a solution will also make it possible to grow medicine to an essentially new level and develop technologies based on improved warfare. Thirdly, with the implementation of this solution in life, people will not need to have discussions about the disputability of certain territories bordering each other. Fourthly, this idea will help to reduce crime, as it is one of the aspects that will be solved in the future when going to war. Fifthly, it will also solve the problem of bad habits, bringing back to fashion the right way of life for healthy offspring. The sixth reason is that society has upgraded as it will not think about the care of ill people anymore. All of them will be fighting for their country, making their families proud of the heroes.

The main argument before the opposition will be that it will raise the question of eugenics to a new level, give impetus to the development of contemporary society, and provide for the further development of the youth movement. At first glance, it may seem that this solution is bloody and anti-humanistic, but if one looks at the current society, it is no less evil than the supposed one.

My idea was inspired by Stephanie Meyers’ book The Hunger Games, which raised similar questions. However, its methods were obviously wrong because class society had too much power and demonstrated this through its habits. In this solution, such a scenario is not envisioned, as society will not change that much and there will be no need to look after children and sick people.

Conclusion

As a result, Jonathan Swift, in his work, was able to raise a number of problems and ridicule them, thus showing their unseriousness in the world of literature. However, the problems exist, and one cannot deny their impact on society today. Although the solution proposed in this paper is no less satirical, it cannot be regarded as a full-fledged solution. Thus, humanity must look for new methods of resolution, not related to humor and satire, but to be more serious and productive.

Reference

Swift, J. (2019). Modest Proposal. (3rd ed.). Blurb.

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Introduction

Discussion

Conclusion

Reference

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