A modest proposal
Modest proposal refers to the satirical essay published and created by Jonathan Swift. The essay was supposed to explain the unconducive and atrocious conditions in Ireland. In addition, it was supposed to explain the nature of lives of the Irish natives in the year nineteen twenty nine. Jonathan makes tremendous efforts in trying to give his arguments solid bases through a series of groundwork techniques. He even tries to give financial estimates to be more exact. In this essay Jonathan aims to expound more and bring o light the injustices and corrupt ways of people. He aims to use literal devises and end the sufferings inflicted on the catholic children. People loved him since he argued for what rightfully belonged to them. His audiences were supportive.
Jonathan purposes to make use of his native heritage of Ireland as it qualifies him as a dazzling observer as well as commentator. A superior proportion of the Irish population lived in abject poverty, which is majorly contributed by the ruling class through oppression. Those in power have no considerations and respect for the poverty stricken in the society. Swift satirizes the wicked character of those in power with humor and irony. For example, he at one point talks of Irish young ones being put up for sale as food once they turn one year old.
Jonathan had there before tried on a number of roles but none in actuality made him famous than this good mastery of satire and its assimilation into real life situations. In fact, satire became very famous in the eighteenth century and more so after his competent use of it in politics. Jonathan Swift is no doubt one of them most influential satirist of his ages. In another good example of how he used satire was when he meant to express anger and disappointment in the way the English government oppressed his people. To be accorded attention by masses, he would illustrate how the solution to all of Ireland’s many problems was to feed the rich and mighty with the children of the poor. The big question that still lingers in many people’s mind was to whom these satirical and outrageous statements were directed to. Those who tried to get back at him with the hope that he would be silenced did not intimidate Jonathan. In fact, whenever this occurred, he retaliated by adopting the persona and nature of an intellectual economist and strongly attacking their wicked ways and ignorance.
Swift took every chance he had to voice the cry of the poor and oppressed. At times, he would come up with a fictional persona that enabled him to conceal his identity. This way, he was able to convince his readers and supporters on how the Ireland problem would be a great hindrance to their development. He is successful in transforming himself into an intelligent and concerned Irishman who is deeply with the welfare of his people. This way, he appears as a wicked and immoral person yet he calmly disapproves of the injustices around him. He also condemns abortion and infanticide among the population. However, when we look at how he satirizes the situation and says that if the rich were so sick of having the poor amongst them, they would as well encourage abortion to reduce the unnecessary taking care of children. It would also solve the problem of children beggars and thieves so the rich would not have to worry much.
The title ‘modest proposal’ is also sardonic since it give one a relatively false idea of what the essay defines as decency and compassionate. For example, the suggestion of using young infant is skins to cloth the rich in society defined as ‘modest’. While in the actual sense, it is inhumane and ruthless. Another use of irony in use is the way Swift explains reasons for marriage. The Irish will marry for riches and fame instead of the usual love and bliss. Rich mothers would rather have plump and juicy babies with good health who are of more worth than the lean and malnourished ones. Jonathan manages to maneuver words, scorn, and bring to light the wicked ways of the Irish. In another instance, he is able to use irony in explaining the Irish national are doing much better than cannibals to attack their pride and arrogance are.
In all illustrations, Jonathan is skillful to evade attacking situations directly. In another instance, he characterized poor mothers as breeders and cattle. Children on the other hand, are referred to as statistics and number since they are unnecessarily many. He further asks how the number can be ‘reared’. All these satirical illustrations are meant to effect change in the society.
Modest proposal’s main intention is to Jonathans’ intent of seeing a better society. It partly managed to convince and awaken the oppressed to what was rightly fully theirs. It on the other hand was intended for the rich. All the argued for way equality in all aspects of the society. For instance, he wanted property owner to be fair and for the government to look into the needs of its people. In a way, he was successful in achieving this.
