Johnathan Swift’s Use of Rhetorical Devices in a Modest Proposal

Introduction: Jonathan Swift was an essayist, political pamphleteer, but certainly the author of “A Modest Proposal” a Juvenalian satirical essay often referred as a masterpiece of irony. The full title is “A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of poor People in Ireland, from being a Burden to their Parent or Country; and for making them beneficial to the Publick.” It was written and published anonymously in 1729 the time of enlightenment by Swift, he used different types of rhetorical devices in his essay to compare the issues of Ireland.

Jonathan Swift used satire as his tone for his essay to make his point towards poverty and overpopulation in the 1700s of Ireland. Topic sentence: Swift wanted to bring attention to the issues of Ireland by being sarcastic and descriptive about the children. Evidence & citing: “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…”. Topic sentence: Swift gives an unusual insight, referring to the child as a wholesome meal. Swift mentions how a one-year-old child would be a wholesome meal do to a lot of poverty at the time. Commentary: Who would joke about a child being a wholesome meal? Only Swift would, this shows how times were very difficult and no one was doing anything to fix it. Until Swift decided to write his proposal for the people to see and open their eyes to reality. One of Swift’s friends quotes, “confirm Swift’s position as a “mimic man,” ambivalently frustrated with and invested in the colonial power structure that determines much of his life.” In other words, he is writing “an escape from unprofitable political activity into pure irony” or who could “escape from” generally associated with his satire. Swift wrote this essay so he can escape society for a second and let the truth out in a satire way with no consequences.

Background: During this time Ireland was going through economic crisis and oppression. Many women were being abandoned by their husbands due to it being illegal if you wanted a divorce. Leaving the men to abandon their wife and children with no consequences. This was the case for many families. It was very difficult due to there being no rights for women. Many would fall into prostitution, beggars, abuse, etc. Which is why Jonathan Swift is claiming the mothers as breeders. Using diction that pertains animals. “It is true a child just dropped from his dam may be supported by her milk for a solar year with little other nourishment...”. Topic sentence: Swift is using a figure of speech called metaphor a type of rhetorical device, referring to the mother of the child as a dam as if she is an animal giving support to the children by her milk. It is also an example of satire, a very harsh way to compare a woman with a female animal. Due to women not having any rights in Ireland.

Topic sentence: Logos is also seen in Swifts proposal. He states that there is an overpopulation of children in Ireland, and the people of Ireland should put the kids in good use by selling and eating the children. In that case families will start getting out of poverty due to them selling the children to the rich for them to eat. It will also be efficient for everyone.” Fourthly, the constant breeder, besides the gain of right shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year.” Swift made a list of how his proposal will do great things for the community. By implying how “the constant breeder” will not have to worry about maintaining her children if she sells them.

Lastly, Swift's purpose was to impact his readers with his very 'modest proposal”. In Ireland at the time there was extreme poverty, overpopulation, and an unfair balance of trade. He came up with the plan that the poor should sell their children to the rich as food to reduce the overpopulation and poverty. His essay was towards the British government, he wanted them to see the real issues that were going on in Ireland. “I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich.” Swift admits how his true intentions weren’t about selling children to meat markets for the rich to eat, but to raise awareness. It was to motivate his country by improving its society and care for its union, mostly single women. He wanted the British government to do better for its country.

Conclusion paragraph: In conclusion, Jonathan Swift satire methods strengths his argument using different rhetorical devices. Swift points out the flaws of the British and the deficiency to provide for the poor. Swift was tired of how British society was unacceptable, his only way for his thoughts of Ireland issues to get out there was to write the essay and publish it anonymously with no consequences.

Works Cited

• Swift, Jonathan, “A Modest Proposal” The Norton Anthology World Literature. Edited by Peter Simon et al. 3, vol D, Norton, 2012, pp. 315-320. 6 February 2019.
• “A Modest Proposal an Analysis.” UK Essays. 6 December 2017. Web. 6 February 2019. https://www.ukessays.com/essays/english-literature/a-modest-proposal-a-critical-reading-english-literature-essay.php
• Palumbo, David M. “From ‘Laughing’ to ‘Rayl [Ing]’ with a ‘Few Friends’: A Modest Proposal as Private Satire.” Eighteenth Century: Theory & Interpretation (University of Pennsylvania Press), vol. 59, no. 3, Fall 2018, pp. 259–278.Web. 6 February 2019
• http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=22&sid=166fda67-e3c6-4b90-9929-4d969a8fc588%40sdc-v-sessmgr02