Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal

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When faced with adversity society often turns to satire to relieve the frustrations the people feel. One of the most widely known examples of satire is Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” Swift uses this work to vent his frustration with not only the governing bodies of 1729 Ireland, but also its residents. Swift discusses the possibility of ending Ireland’s famine and economic troubles by using the children of poor families as a source of nourishment for the workers. This suggestion although meant in a comedic way served a more serious role in displaying Swift’s and many others displeasure with the state of their nation. Swift uses many techniques to entice his readers and make his argument compelling. The serious tone and personal style of the essay lock in the reader 's attention, while the use of facts and figures serve to establish a false sense of seriousness within the argument itself. Swift writes his motion with deliberate and honest tone, it 's with this tone that Swift makes his audience question the underlying comedic purpose of the essay. Swift uses this technique to express his frustration and disappointment with the lack of actual solutions to ireland’s economic crisis. Swift wants his reader to share in his dissatisfaction with the lack of solutions his nation has purposed …show more content…

This success is what has lead to to “A Modest Proposal” becoming one of the most referenced and genre defining works in satire. Swift brings his audience to feel the same disappointment and frustration as himself, while also providing a sense of comedic relief in such a disheartening situation. This style of comedy is still widely influenced by comedians such as Louis C.K. today, making “A Modest Proposal” one the most inspirational satirical works the world has ever

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    Swift's message to the English government in "A Modest Proposal" deals with the disgusting state of the English-Irish common people. Swift, as the narrator expresses pity for the poor and oppressed, while maintaining his social status far above them. The poor and oppressed that he refers to are Catholics, peasants, and the poor homeless men, women, and children of the kingdom. This is what Swift is trying to make the English government, in particular the Parliament aware of; the great socioeconomic distance between the increasing number of peasants and the aristocracy, and the effects thereof. Swift conveys his message in a brilliant essay, in which he uses satire, humor and shock value.

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    Jonathan Swift, a well-known author, in his essay “A Modest Proposal,” implies that the Irish people should eat children so that they can better their chances of survival. Swift supports his implication by describing how his proposal will have many advantages such as, eliminating papists, bringing great custom to taverns, and inducing marriages. He comes up with an absurd proposal to eat and sell the children to the elite so the Irish can have a brighter future. His purpose is to show that the Irish deserve better treatment from the English. Throughout his essay, Swift uses sarcasm, satire, and irony.

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