18th century satire: a modest proposal assignment

In A Modest Proposal Swift exposes numerous public authorities for their failure to help the poor people of Ireland. He suggests that the use of the children will turn and benefit the country as a response to their greed: “ instead of being a charge upon their parents or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall on the contrary contribute to the feeding, and partly to the clothing, of many thousands” (2463).

A child is the responsibility of the parent; it is the parent that conceives a child. In addressing this issue, he also hopes this it will end voluntary abortions and the murdering of bastard children. In most society’s, including our own, these are very touchy issues that evoke strong opinions and emotions. For a person to publicly announce that such actions are wrong could surely end a career, potentially a life in exile. Through satire, such issues can be discreetly spoken upon.

Yet again, pointing out the greed of the landlords. The sale of children will procure an increase of fifty thousand pounds per year, boosting the economy, touching on poor state of the Irish economy. The “ breeders” of this crop will no bear the burden more than a year, a growing season. The sale of children in the taverns and the stylized methods of preparing the meat will also boost the economy, because they will become desired and frequently visited. Finally, marriages would become more successful.

With this, they would be able to provide for the children they keep, as well as the financial burden of excess children will not negatively affect one’s marriage. Therefore, divorce or separation rates will not be so high; there would be greater appreciation between the husband and wife. As state previously, these are very important issues that are spun in a comedic method as to not offend but as to reveal the sad truth behind the actions of which Swift proposes. What were the current conditions of Ireland, under the United Kingdom rule, are not free from Swift either.