“A Modest Proposal” by Anglo-Irish writer Jonathan Swift (published anonymously in 1729) is a powerful political satire on the economic and social conditions of the poor in Ireland under British rule. The essay is rich in references to political events in England and Ireland in the 18th century. Swift takes ‘irony’ as the best weapon to attack all kinds of vices and injustices that are prevalent in society. Now we will see how Swift criticizes society in her essay.
Before, entering our discussion we are going to know something of the miserable condition of that Ireland. In reality, Ireland’s disgrace begins when, in 1541, the Irish recognize Henry VIII of England, a Protestant, as King of Ireland. Protestant landowners acquire almost ten percent of the properties. Meanwhile, a law is enacted limiting the rights of the Irish to hold public office, buy real estate and receive an education. As a result, many Irish flee and those who remain live in poverty, disease and hunger.
The essayist, at the beginning of the essay, exposes the deplorable economic situation and the social panorama of Ireland under British rule. As the author says:
“It is a melancholic object for those who walk through this great city or travel through the countryside; when they see the streets, the roads and the doors of the cabins full of female beggars, followed by three, four or six children, all in rags, and pestering each passenger for a handout. “
Furthermore, the author fears that, when the infants of these beggars grow up, “either they become thieves due to lack of work, or they leave their beloved Homeland to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or they sell themselves to Barbados.”
This miserable situation is, in fact, the result of the indifference of the English administration and the oppression of the landlords. Instead of solving the problem, the British government shows great carelessness in the face of repeated calls to feed those hungry mouths.
Now, fast, as an English patriot discovers a “fair, cheap and easy method of making these children solid and useful members of the Commonwealth.” You want to come up with a proposal in such a way, as it says:
“… as, instead of being a burden to their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and clothing for the rest of their lives; they, on the contrary, will contribute to food, and partly to clothing, of many thousands “.
Swift criticizes the authority when thinking that this plan “will avoid those voluntary abortions and that horrible practice of women who murder their bastard children” that is “too frequent among us”. His criticism of the English administration becomes clearer when he doubts that the innocent poor are killed “more to avoid Expense than Shame”. The author mocks the intellectuals and politicians of the time by proposing his grotesque proposal in the most formal way and with great seriousness. As the essayist comments:
“I SHOULD now humbly propose my own Thoughts, which I hope are not susceptible to the slightest objection.”
Now we will take a look at your proposal. In her proposal, Swift suggests that a significant portion of Irish children should be euthanized and their corpses sold to the rich and to landlords so that poor parents can benefit financially and shed the burden of child support. The essayist criticizes the brutal mentality of authority, since they never considered the Irish as human beings. To indicate his pettiness, the essayist uses the most appropriate words for the animal and not for the human being. It uses the word, for example, ‘corpses’, remains of dead animals dressed by butchers, to refer to the remains of children prepared as meat.
Once again, the essayist equates oppressors with butchers when they mercilessly snatch bread from Irish children’s hands and rush them down the road to death. As the author says:
“… and we can be sure that there will be no shortage of butchers”
The essayist also criticizes landlords for their aggressive attitude towards the poor Irish. As Swift comments:
“I GRANT that this Meal will be somewhat expensive and therefore very appropriate for the Owners; who, as they have already eaten most of the Parents, seem to have the best Title for the Children.”
Swift stabs the authorities for the mistreatment they have received from the poor Irish with the prospect that they will be overjoyed to eat human flesh as they have lost consciousness.
“He could name a country, which would be happy to devour our entire nation without him.”
The author also criticizes the fashionable ladies and the so-called nice people of society. As he says:
“Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the Times requires) can skin the carcass; the artificially dressed skin will make admirable gloves for ladies and summer boots for good gentlemen.”
Swift, in order to criticize society, ironically shows six benefits of the proposal.
First: it will reduce the total number of Catholics, the enemy of Protestants.
Second, poor parents will get some money with which they can pay rent to landlords.
Third: the money will circulate among the Irish and the national income will increase.
Fourth, mothers will be relieved of the burden of supporting children after the first year.
Fifth: empty taverns will be filled with a large number of customers.
Finally: it will be a great stimulus for the marriage and will increase the care and tenderness of the mother towards her children.
In reality, Swift’s proposal surprises all readers, even the cruel barbarian cannot think of such a cannibalistic idea of eating man meat. Anyone with common sense can easily understand that, due to extreme agony, the essayist gives such a suggestion. It means underneath this proposal that the government should accept this proposal if it cannot solve the problem immediately.
At the end of the essay, the bitter criticism is clear when the essayist ends the proposal assuring the readers that he has not the least interest but the public good of his country. As he says:
“I have no children, so I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest is nine years old and my wife no longer has children.”
Swifts, with this ease, attract the attention of authority and readers with great success. Robert Phiddian has written an essay entitled “Have you eaten yet?” After reading this essay.
Some scholars argue that “A Modest Proposal” is heavily influenced by Tertullian’s “Apology”. James William Johnson points to the same central theme in both essays. Both essays are similar in tone and use of irony.
Finally, it can be said that Jonathan Swift uses his powerful pen against the English oppressors with great success by ridiculing their supposed vanity, since the writer knows that the devil is brave in the face of threat, strong of heart in the face of tears and vulnerable. only on the Achilles heel of his vanity.