"A Modest Proposal" is a satirical work written by Jonathan Swift, the renowned Irish writer, and cleric, published in 1729. Swift employs a unique and biting form of satire to address the grave issue of poverty in Ireland and the oppressive policies imposed by the British government. The essay suggests a seemingly outrageous solution, proposing that impoverished Irish families sell their infants as a source of food and income. Swift's true intention, however, is not to promote such a horrific idea but to use it as a sharp critique of the prevailing socio-political climate.
The objective element in this work lies in Swift's use of satire, a literary device that involves the use of irony, humor, and exaggeration to expose and criticize societal flaws and injustices. In "A Modest Proposal," Swift employs this technique to draw attention to the economic hardships faced by the Irish population due to British policies, such as exploitative taxation and trade restrictions. He highlights the inhuman treatment of the Irish people and the callous indifference of the British ruling class.
The essay is written with a tone of apparent seriousness, which adds to the overall impact of the satire. Swift presents his proposal with a calculated, almost clinical, detachment that serves to magnify the absurdity of the situation. He meticulously calculates the economic benefits, as he sarcastically presents the potential profit to be gained from the sale of infants, suggesting that the children would be seen as a commodity rather than as human beings.
Throughout the essay, Swift employs logical reasoning, statistical data, and a tone of rationality that, when viewed objectively, underscores the grim reality of the Irish under British rule. The essay's true purpose becomes evident as readers recognize the stark contrast between the horrific "solution" Swift presents and the actual urgency to address Ireland's socio-economic problems and the injustices perpetuated by the British government.