Swift’s critique of society in “A Modest Proposal”

Anglo-Irish writer Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” (published anonymously in 1729) is a powerful political satire on the economic and social conditions of the poor in Ireland under British rule. The essay is rich in references to political events in England and Ireland in the 18th century. Swift takes the ‘irony’ as the best weapon to attack all kinds of vices and injustices that prevail in society. We will now see how Swift criticizes society in his essay.

Before entering our discussion we are going to know something of the miserable condition of that Ireland. Actually, the misfortune of Ireland begins when, in 1541, the Irish recognize the Protestant Henry VIII of England as King of Ireland. Protestant landowners acquire almost ten percent of the properties. Meanwhile, a law is enacted that limits the rights of the Irish to hold government office, buy real estate, and obtain an education. Consequently, many Irish people flee and those who remain live in poverty, disease and hunger.

The essayist, at the beginning of the essay, establishes the deplorable economic condition and social picture of Ireland under British rule. As the author says:

“It is a melancholy object for those who walk through this great city, or travel through the country, when they see the streets, the ways and the doors of the cabins full of beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four or six children, all in rags, and importuning each passenger for a handout”.

Furthermore, the author fears that, when the children of these beggars grow up, “either they become Thieves for lack of Work, or they leave their beloved Homeland, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or they sell themselves to Barbados.”

This miserable situation is, in fact, the result of the indifference of the English administration and the oppression of the landlords. Instead of solving the problem, the British government shows great nonchalance in the face of repeated calls to feed these hungry mouths.

Now, quickly, as an English patriot discovers a “fair, cheap, and easy method of making these children solid and useful members of the Commonwealth.” He wants to come up with a proposal in such a way, as he says:

“…since, instead of being a Burden to their Parents, or the Parish, or lacking Food and Clothing for the rest of their Lives, they must, on the contrary, contribute to Food, and in part to Clothing of many thousands.”

Swift criticizes the authority considering that this scheme “will prevent those voluntary abortions and that horrible practice of women who murder their bastard children” that is “too frequent among us”. His criticism of the English administration becomes clearer when he questions that poor innocent babies are killed “more to avoid expense than shame.” The author mocks the intellectuals and politicians of the time by presenting his grotesque proposal in the most formal and serious manner. As the essayist comments:

“I will now humbly propose my own Thoughts, which I hope will not be subject to the slightest Objection.”

Now let’s take a look at your proposal. In his proposal, Swift suggests that a significant proportion of Irish children should be slaughtered and their carcasses should be sold to both the wealthy and landlords so that poor parents can benefit financially and be relieved of the burden of child support. The essayist criticizes the brutal mentality of authority, which never considered the Irish as human beings. To indicate his pettiness, the essayist uses those words that are more convenient for the animal than for the human being. He uses the word, for example, ‘carcasses’, the remains of dead animals dressed by butchers, to refer to the remains of children prepared as meat.

Again, the essayist equates the oppressors with the butchers who mercilessly snatch bread from the hands of Irish children and rush them to death. As the author says:
“…and we can be sure that there will be no shortage of butchers”

The essayist also criticizes the landlords for their aggressive attitude towards the poor Irish. As Swift points out:
“I GRANT that this Meal will be somewhat expensive and therefore very appropriate for the landlords; who, having already devoured most of the fathers, seem to have the best title for the sons.”

Swift takes a stab at the authorities for their mistreatment of the poor Irish, thinking that they will be too happy to eat human flesh since they have lost their senses.

“I could name a country, which would be happy to devour our entire nation without him.”

The author also criticizes fashionable ladies and so-called gentle people in society. As he says:
“THOSE who are more thrifty (as I must confess the Times demands) may skin the carcass; the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies and summer boots for fine gentlemen.”

Swift, to criticize society, ironically shows six benefits of the proposal.
First: it will reduce the total number of Catholics, the enemy of Protestants.
Second, the poor parents will get some money with which they can pay the rent from the landlords.
Third: the money will circulate among the Irish and increase the national income.
Fourth: mothers will get rid of the child support charge after the first year.
Fifth: empty taverns will be filled with a large number of customers.
Finally: it will be a great stimulus for the marriage and will increase the care and tenderness of the mother towards her children.

Indeed, Swift’s proposal surprises all readers, even the cruel barbarian cannot think of such a cannibalistic idea of ​​eating man flesh. Anyone with common sense can easily understand that out of extreme agony the essayist gives such a suggestion. He wants to say below this proposal that the government must accept this proposal if it cannot solve the problem immediately.

At the end of the essay, the bitter criticism is clear when the essayist ends the proposal, assuring the readers that he is not interested in the least but the public good of his country. As he says:

“I have no children, for whom I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest is nine years old, and my wife no longer has children.”

Swifts, by their ease, very successfully draw the attention of authority and readers. Robert Phiddian has written an essay titled “Have You Eaten Yet?” after reading this essay.

Some scholars argue that “A Modest Proposal” is heavily influenced by Tertullian’s “Apology”. James William Johnson points to the same central theme in both essays. Both essays are similar in their tone and use of irony.

Finally, it can be said that Jonathan Swift very successfully uses his mighty pen against the English oppressors by ridiculing their alleged vanity, for the writer knows that the devil is brave in the face of threat, strong-hearted in the face of tears, and vulnerable. only on the Achilles heel of his vanity.

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