Question

What I'd like you to do is comment on the text the modest proposal by Dr. Jonathan Swift. 1729. Explain what the author was trying to get across, and discuss why you found it intriguing. Try to think about the texts in the context of the time the they were written, but also try to give some thought to where you see the ideas in these texts operating in the world today. Each of the last three texts has had some effect on our modern world in some way, so try to include that if you can.

Answer 1

Modest proposal by Dr. Jonathan Swift (1729), is an angry political satire. The author is angry over the large scale poverty in the Irish society, that is widespread. He is displeased at the people especially the poor majority Catholics of Ireland, who has aggravated this problem by not keeping the sanctity of marriage and is producing more number of children by their infidelities. Jonathan Swift proposes solution to this issue of poverty, poverty-stricken children and infidelity, to sell the children at meat market for their. From proposing this solution he is also targeting the indifferent attitude of the rich and ruling class towards the poor of their society.

There was a widespread poverty Ireland during Jonathan Swift's period. Ireland was under England with many trade restrictions, and was exploited by the England. Still Ireland had rich who were politically influential but were least concerned about the state of the poor. The Catholics who were majority in Ireland were poor and had less political influence, they did not respect the institution of marriage, this resulted in infidelity. This caused abortions and infanticides to be common among them. The mothers with four to six children were forced for beggary, and this infuriated the author for making the modest proposal.

The same is seen in todays world, people are still indifferent to the poor, they constitute the majority but with least political influence. Those who enjoy wealth and power are busy enjoying their life with all the comforts and luxuries of life, while the poor struggle to manage their basic needs to be met.