A Modest Proposal A Political Satire

The misfortune that occurred in Ireland during the year of 1729 is highly apparent when reading “A Modest Proposal” by Dr. Jonathan Swift. From reading this proposal, it is initially alarming how the author states that his solution to Ireland’s significant issue of poverty would be to murder and sell children to rich, Ireland inhabitants who would “give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child” (Swift 7-8). This shocking solution would astound anyone reading the proposal for the first time who did not grasp that this work of writing is political satire. Throughout the essay, as Swift adds more evidence to support his claim that butchering and eating children is a solution to many problems, it is seen that his horrid, and vivid descriptions serve as a metaphor to showcase the extent of the social hierarchy and injustice that was occurring at that time between the rich and the poor. Through it all, nonetheless, this form of writing served a purpose.
Even though appalling, this satire is an important piece to read, because …show more content…
Although this proposal was meant for those in Ireland in 1729, it is still valuable to today’s society and those around the world live in right now, because it reiterates that there are still people in third world and even in first world countries who are going through tough times where they do not have enough food to survive or even a house over their heads. This proposal is highly successful in shining a light on the fact that a solution to this tragedy would be for those who are more fortunate to assist those who are less fortunate “by putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill” into themselves (Swift 201-202). In all, ignoring the fact that there are still people in need, in the end, would be worse than the political satire of killing and eating innocent and needy