Literary Satire in “A Modest Proposal”

In the mid-18th century, Ireland was a country stricken by severe poverty. Governed largely by a few wealthy English landowners, the Irish masses faced high taxation, food shortage, and over population. In “A Modest Proposal,” Jonathan Swift suggests a radical solution to Ireland’s poverty problem by means of consuming Irish infants. By using heavy literary satire to demonstrate the economic and religious prejudice surrounding Ireland, Jonathan Swift pushes the passive upper class and discriminating politicians to take action and help Ireland.

The title of Swift’s work rings with verbal irony. The subject in “A Modest Proposal” is clearly not modest but disgusting, immoral, and savage. Jonathan Swift argues that eating Irish babies will solve Ireland’s food and clothing shortage. When there is a necessity, people look for a close substitute. Swift is making fun at this practical mindset by throwing a “practical” solution in the face of the politicians. His proposal is obviously not modest but a grotesque one meant to embarrass the politicians who believe that simple solutions will bring Ireland out of poverty. Following the title, Swift states his purpose of his proposal, stating, “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” (Swift 2633). He uses sarcasm by suggesting that the poor children of the Irish are currently useless to Ireland and ‘worthless’ in the eyes of England. By using them as food, the Irish infants now have a useful purpose for Ireland. Swift’s diction displays the insincerity of his proposal. He writes, “Infant’s flesh will be in season throughout the year,” referring to children like an anim...

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...the Catholic children, a ‘benefit’ to the Protestants. This is shockingly suggestive that Ireland’s leaders are religiously prejudice. However, Swift’s ridiculous assertions of the variable taste and reduction of Catholics reveal his true beliefs on the matter. Religious differences are no excuse for not aiding the poor.

Jonathan Swift’s work, “A Modest Proposal,” defines a classic literary satire. Swift’s proposal is ridiculous and disgusting in its subject. However, the insincere solution reveals that Ireland’s situation is severe, and the current passive attitude of its people and rulers is not working. Swift’s use of literary satire effectively disgusts, embarrasses, and shocks the upper class into taking action to help Ireland. Though Swift used a provocative way to ‘shake’ his audience, his sincerity and concern for Ireland’s future is clearly evident.