A Mdoest as a satire

Introduction: A Modest Proposal

Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal (1729) is a seminal piece of satirical literature, renowned
for its sharp critique of British exploitation of Ireland and its striking use of irony and
exaggeration. Swift, observing the dire poverty and famine plaguing Ireland, presents a shocking
solution to the problem: selling infants as food to the wealthy. While grotesque and horrifying, this
“modest” suggestion is not to be taken at face value. Instead, it is a scathing indictment of
British colonial policies, the indifference of the aristocracy, and the dehumanization of Ireland’s
poor. Swift’s essay forces readers to confront the systemic injustices of his time, employing
satire as a powerful tool to expose moral and political failings.

Definition of Satire

Satire is a literary device that uses humor, irony, ridicule, and exaggeration to expose and
criticize societal issues, human vices, or institutional failures. Its purpose is often to provoke
thought and inspire reform by drawing attention to flaws in behavior or governance. Jonathan
Swift’s A Modest Proposal exemplifies satire by taking the logic of British economic policies to
an absurd extreme, using grotesque humor to critique colonial exploitation and societal
indifference.

Satirical Elements in A Modest Proposal

Irony

Irony is the foundation of Swift’s satirical approach. The narrator proposes cannibalism as a
logical and beneficial solution to poverty, presenting the horrifying idea with calm, reasoned
arguments. For instance, the narrator claims:

"A young, healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and
wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled."

The irony lies in the contrast between the rational tone and the grotesque suggestion. By
mimicking the detached, calculated language of economists, Swift exposes the inhumanity of
policies that reduce human lives to statistics. The absurdity of the proposal forces readers to
confront the moral bankruptcy of British attitudes toward Ireland.
Mockery
Swift’s essay is filled with mockery, aimed at both British colonial authorities and Irish elites. He
ridicules the greed and exploitation of landlords, suggesting that they would find cannibalism a
fitting extension of their economic practices:

"This food will be very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured
most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children."

By equating landlords’ economic exploitation to literal cannibalism, Swift highlights their moral
indifference to the suffering of their tenants. This sarcastic tone exposes the cruelty and greed of
those in power, making their exploitation of the poor appear monstrous.

Dehumanization
The essay critiques the systemic dehumanization of Ireland’s poor, portraying them as
commodities to be exploited. The narrator treats children as livestock, discussing their
economic value and even suggesting culinary preparations:

"A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family
dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish."

This grotesque imagery mirrors the real-world disregard for the humanity of the Irish population.
Swift uses this exaggerated dehumanization to underscore how colonial policies viewed people
not as human beings, but as resources to be managed and exploited.

Class Distinction
Swift highlights the stark class divide between the wealthy elite and the impoverished Irish. His
proposal is aimed at the rich, who would benefit from the suffering of the poor:

"Persons of quality and fortune will be of my opinion."

This statement underscores the detachment of the upper classes from the realities of poverty,
portraying them as indifferent to the struggles of the poor. Swift critiques the wealthy for
prioritizing their own comfort and profit over the welfare of society, suggesting that their privilege
blinds them to human suffering.

Critical Appreciation from swift

 "For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the number of Papists,
with whom we are yearly over-run, being the principal breeders of the nation, as well
as our most dangerous enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design
to deliver the kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their advantage by the
absence of so many good Protestants, who have chosen rather to leave their
country, than stay at home and pay tithes against their conscience to an episcopal
curate."

Swift mocks the anti-Catholic prejudice of Protestant elites by suggesting that eating Catholic
children would solve the “problem” of overpopulation. By ridiculing the baseless fear of Catholics
as “dangerous enemies,” Swift exposes the irrationality and hatred fueling sectarian politics.

"Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by
law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord's rent, their corn
and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown."

This line highlights the cruel exploitation of Ireland’s tenants by landlords. Swift’s dark humor
suggests that even children could be used as collateral to pay rents, underscoring the
inhumanity of economic practices that leave the poor with nothing.

"Thirdly, Whereas the maintenance of an hundred thousand children, from two

years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than ten shillings a piece per
annum, the nation's stock will be thereby increased fifty thousand pounds per
annum, besides the profit of a new dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of
fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste. And the money will
circulate among ourselves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and
manufacture."

Swift mocks the obsession with national profit by suggesting that cannibalism would create a
self-sustaining economy. The grotesque humor of considering children as part of Ireland’s
“domestic growth” ridicules the economic rationalism of policymakers.

"Fourthly, The constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per
annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after
the first year."

This statement uses satire to criticize how the poor are viewed as mere “breeders,” reducing
family life to cold economic calculations. By suggesting that selling children would relieve
financial burdens, Swift exposes the heartless utilitarian attitudes toward poverty.
 "Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns, where the vintners
will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts for dressing it to
perfection; and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine
gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good eating; and a
skilful cook, who understands how to oblige his guests, will contrive to make it as
expensive as they please."

Here, Swift ridicules the luxury and vanity of the wealthy by suggesting that human flesh could
become a culinary delicacy. This grotesque image mocks the priorities of the elite, who focus on
indulgence while ignoring widespread poverty.

"Sixthly, This would be a great inducement to marriage, which all wise nations have
either encouraged by rewards, or enforced by laws and penalties. It would increase
the care and tenderness of mothers towards their children, when they were sure of
a settlement for life to the poor babes, provided in some sort by the publick, to their
annual profit instead of expense. We should soon see an honest emulation among
the married women, which of them could bring the fattest child to the market. Men
would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, as they are
now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf, or sows when they are ready to farrow;
nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a
miscarriage."

Swift’s proposal reduces marriage and pregnancy to economic transactions, mocking the
commodification of family life. The comparison of pregnant women to livestock emphasizes the
dehumanization inherent in the policies and societal attitudes of the time.

This extended section reinforces the satirical tone of A Modest Proposal, with Swift pushing his
grotesque exaggerations to absurd extremes to ridicule the economic and moral failures of
18th-century society.

Conclusion

Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal is a powerful example of satire, using irony, exaggeration,
and dark humor to critique British colonialism, economic exploitation, and societal indifference.
By presenting a shocking and grotesque proposal, Swift forces readers to confront the
inhumanity of the policies and attitudes that perpetuated Ireland’s suffering. His essay remains a
timeless critique of systemic injustice, challenging readers to reflect on the moral consequences
of their actions and the need for compassion and reform. Swift’s biting satire is as relevant today
as it was in the 18th century, a testament to the enduring power of his critique.