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Satire In Jonathan Swifts A Modest Proposal

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This essay will be analysing a close reading of Jonathan Swifts ‘A Modest Proposal,’ focusing on the literary technique of satiric meaning and the effects this has on the overall message including references to the definition of satire from Murfin and Ray. The use of Satire is present in Jonathan Swifts ‘A Modest Proposal’ since it involves “using irony, wit, and sometimes sarcasm to expose humanity's vices and foibles (Murfin and Ray 251),” which we can identify predominantly in the dialogue of the text. The essay will be anaylsed through referring to one set reading provided by Barbara Bengels ‘Swifts modest proposal’ and how Swift uses the proposal to discuss the “Children of Poor People (in Ireland) Being a Burden to their Parents, or …show more content…

At the time when Swift’s proposal was made, Britain’s dictatorial reign in Ireland had left the nation in poverty and disarray. Criticising a nation was much easier to do in a joking tone or be harder to read rather than direct and upfront. Swift wanted to discuss these issues and found by writing in satire he could have the readers’ attention in way that a seriously written piece could not reach. Satire is present when Swift convinces the audience that he is an empathetic individual introducing the proposal with a sophisticated and compassionate manner beginning in the sentence, "I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection (1)," luring the reader into a sense of false trust as he begins the descriptions of the poor in Ireland. The reader is led to believe at first that this is a serious essay however it is not until deep into the proposal the reader can see how Swift uses satire to propose his thoughts found in the sentence, “a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled;” continuing on that, “no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust (1).” By doing so the reader has no time to second guess the abnormality of the thought of a baby served as a fricasie or ragoust, which is quite

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Opinions on tragic events are usually something sought as serious and dreary. Trying to find the best way to have a solution for the problem. However, in A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift provides a different approach on solving a certain tragedy. A solution by no means actually providing a benefit but by conveying a satirical diction towards the situation. Swift's satirical tone and ironic persona reveals his use of rhetorical strategies to prepare the reader for his proposal.

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He rationalizes his proposal to make it seem less barbaric. He claims it will help the poor by making them a little money so they will have something valuable of their own. The irony of this story to me is that Swift was poor as a child and has no empathy for children in the situation he was once in. Although its hard to believe Swifts goal in writing was to improve human conduct, and for people to be more humane which is another irony in regard to his story “a modest proposal”. Alexander Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock” is a poem that uses exaggeration and humor to capture its reader.

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The English where blaming the poor for being poor, but not actually blaming those who made them poor in the first place. This relates to the thesis because it just goes to show he uses satire in this article. It also connects to claim one by showing different ways Swift used his irony and satire, and both come of sarcastic and not serious compared to some others. Finally in paragraph 11 Swift then explains “I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children”. He is using sarcasm here by saying that the landlords are currently eating off the parents making them poor so why not do it to the kids?

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Swift in other words was proving that the Rich English had no care or worry for the poor Irish. Swift uses satire by proposing a very morbid thing, try to persuade his audience that it would be for the better good if they ate babies. Swift suggest that the children be fattened up. “I have reckoned upon a medium that child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nursed, increaseth to 28 pounds.” (Swift) By saying this it puts a vivid image into the readers mind.

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