“A Modest Proposal” by Dr. Jonathon Swift is a terrific example of satire. He challenges the Irish people’s method of child raising, but also dehumanizes them and hints at his dislike of Catholics, landlords, upper-class taking advantage of the poor, taverns, and forced marriages. But the method he chose by which to do this is odd and unexpected: he suggests that infant flesh be consumed. He hints at his proposition by saying: “…a child just dropt from its dam, may be supported by her milk, for a solar year, with little other nourishment: at most not above the value of two shillings, which the other may certainly get, or the value in scraps, by her lawful occupation of begging; and it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the clothing of many thousands.” Then he continues on with: “I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.” And also “…the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.”
He dehumanizes the Irish people by referring to the women as “breeders,” and comparing the general population to livestock, such as horses and cattle. He says “…I calculate there may be about two thousand couple whose wifes are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couple, who are able to maintain their own children, (although I apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the kingdom) but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand breeders.”
He hints at his dislike of Catholics by frequently referring to them as Papists and making fun of their customs. He writes: “Infant’s flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolifick dyet, there are more children born in Roman Catholick countries about nine months after Lent, the markets will be more glutted than usual, because the number of popish infants, is at least three to one in this kingdom, and therefore it will have one other collateral advantage, by lessening the number of Papists among us.”
He hints at his dislike of landlords by making the comment: “…The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by lay may be liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord’s rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown.” He is saying that the landlords force the peasants to work for them, without pay and without any fruit to show for their labor. He thinks this is unfair and uses irony to reveal how horrible such a practice is.
He hints at his dislike of upper-class taking advantage of the poor and taverns by saying: “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 cool, who understands how to oblige his guests, will contrive to make it as expensive as they please.”
Overall, I thought Dr. Swift’s use of satire was very effective in conveying his purpose. He used sarcasm lightly and humorously, rather than attacking the people or beliefs he disagreed with. I thought this was more respectful, and would immediately create his audience to be more open towards his subject. He couldn’t do everything to help his people, but this small gesture (his paper) was his contribution to society; his attempt to right what he believed to be wrong.
