A Modest Proposal By Jonathan Swift

To Be on the Defense Is To Be on the Offense Political issues or matters concerning the well-being of mankind is not something new to us. Social and political hierarchies have existed for millennia, yet the ways in which people have voiced their concerns or opinions on sensitive topics related to these hierarchies have evolved over time. One way in which people have addressed important society matters has been through satire. Typically satirical writings are fueled by anger brought about by a political event or societal issue. Instead of voicing their anger directly to the people, Jonathan Swift and other satirical authors, have used satire as “the engine of anger, rather than the direct expression of anger” (Egendorf 40). In doing so,

They may think it’s true; they may not fully understand that it is satire; they may be offended by the graphic nature of the essay. So, the danger lies with how the audience interprets the meaning and/or purpose of the writing. Some individuals may not understand the underlying meaning, i.e. the true message that the author is trying to get across - the issue that has caused his anger. If the reader is offended, that was Swift’s intention. He wanted the reader to be so offended that he/she would take notice of the issue of Ireland’s impoverished people and that some action would take place. Swift’s motive was that this very serious issue would be brought to the forefront of the Irish

Through social media and advancement in technology, satirical messages like Sourisseau’s cartoon have been available to the masses with the click of a button. In this day and age, is it necessary to employ Swift’s tactics of shock and awe? His proposal was primarily intended to shock and offend people into action, pulling them into the issue, creating an avenue for which the audience can stop and listen for a second. He was purposely trying to grab their attention. Sourisseau’s intent was to achieve the same effect. However, there was no social media or medium with the same instant communication system with which Swift could get his message out, so utilizing offensive satire allowed his words to stand out, be noticed, and spread by word of mouth. We walk a slippery slope when we, as mankind, have made technological progress, yet still apply methods that may not be necessary in today’s evolved