A Modest Analysis

Presenting an ironically wild idea in “A Modest Proposal,” Jonathan Swift incorporates extended hyperbole, dark sarcasm, and a shocking shift in order to bring attention to the issue of poverty, overpopulation, and the lack of action to rectify these societal problems. Swift satirizes the incompetence of the government and the people of Ireland by sarcastically suggesting that newborns be used as a staple food source. The audience is also reassured that the poor, elderly, and disabled are dying “as fast as can be reasonably expected.” The resulting essay is a disturbingly hilarious example of gallows humor.

    The entire essay is a preposterous exaggeration. It is evident to anyone who is not a psychopath that the systematic slaughtering of infants and widespread cannibalism is ludicrous. Yet he predicts that “one thousand families in this city, would be constant customers for infant flesh, besides others who might have it at merry meeting.” However, society has to become a bit more desensitized in order to accept this custom. By creating a ludicrous piece, he makes his intention to satirize the elite conspicuous.

    The tone that Swift employs is one of sarcasm. He assures his audience that the benefits will outweigh the costs of feeding the child and clothing him in rags for a year. There is baked, or boiled.” Swift also makes sardonic remarks about the Catholic church, highlighting the advantage of “lessening the number of Papists among us.” These remarks are quite sassy and mocking. even detail about what a “delicious nourishing and wholesome foo, whether stewed, roasted,

    Although seemingly insignificant, the shift plays an important role in this paper. The beginning of his essay presents the issues that must be dealt with. Other possible solution are dismissed as “grossly mistaken in their computation.” It entices the reader by gloating about the wonderful things his impending solution will achieve. He states “I shall now humbly propose my own thoughts” and proceeds with his wild, not at all humble suggestions.

    Jonathan Swift intended his plan to be absurd, which is what makes it comical. It is ridiculously far-fetched, which shocks the reader into paying attention to the true meaning in essay. It criticizes and makes a mockery of the government, the rich, the Papists, and all the other empowered groups of people who choose to not help their impoverished neighbors. The consequences of indifference to the suffering of others are just as inhumane as his proposed barbaric cannibalism.