Swift's A Modest Proposal

Swift's A Modest Proposal

Introduction

The Modest Proposal talks about the poor living conditions that prevailed during the eighteenth century in Ireland. There was a serious problem of surplus population, no jobs and shortages of food. In its first few paragraphs, the author sounds to be sympathetic and understanding of the serious matter at hand. It seems as if the author has a workable and well balanced solution to the problem. The writer determines the number of babies born in Ireland and how they are not contributing anything productive to society. A surprising suggestion is proposed by the author; an infant when reaches the age of one should be sold as food with the skin sold as a side product, to make glove for ladies and boots for gentlemen.

Discussion

Figuratively speaking, the author is of the view that the people of Ireland are being eaten alive by the English Landlords. Being in the middle of crisis the essay tries to highlight that the rich had totally forgotten the poor and the only plausible solution lied in selling the infants to rich landlords. A friend of the author also suggests that children between twelve and fourteen should also be sold as food, but the idea is rejected. Males of that category would be too haggard to be consumed; whereas the females would become child-bearers soon.

The author tries to support the proposal by giving six reasons to why it should be followed. Firstly it would reduce the number of Catholics; the majority of the poor in Ireland were Catholics. Second, it will provide the poor people with some assets. Third it would save the budget of the government as it will not have to provide for child support. Fourth it will free up the women in society to work in other productive ...