A modest analysis of a proposal

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     In his essay, "A Modest Proposal," Dr. Swift is attempting to seize the audience’s attention and direct it toward the state of Ireland during this period in history. Swift wants the audience to understand Ireland’s poverty from three distinct angles: The number of poverty stricken people –which he cleverly inserts during the essay as statistics to support his idea-, the people he holds responsible, and why they are responsible. During the essay Swift’s underlying point hinges on the actions of the landlords present in Ireland at the time. Swift wrote the essay in a carefully worded well-constructed fashion to emulate the voice of the people responsible. The tone of which insinuates on its own how inappropriate the conduct and rational of the landlords was at the time. While Swift doesn't offer any singular solution, he does much to point out the attitude of the land owners involved in Ireland's woes. In the end Swift achieves what he set out to do: create an essay designed from the first sentence to make a joke out of the cultured upper-class while simultaneously pointing out the cold way they treat and view the poor. 

    “I grant this food will be somewhat dear and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” (Dr. Swift) 

    Although Swift states that skinning and eating children is the best way to deal with the issue of Ireland’s impoverished; it is only with the intention of shocking his readers. He is using this extreme example to both express his views of the essay’s target, and to inspire these people to take a closer look at their actions. This is done by purposing that based on their current activities and efforts, eating children isn't completely far-fetched. 

    While Dr. Swift has a logical solution, its clearly not a rational one. During the essay he offers statistics and prices for all manner of elements in his plan. From the cost of feeding and clothing the poor, to simply how many poor he estimates exist in Ireland at the time. So while he does make an engaging argument, he also all but states his real thoughts. During the final paragraph Swift says he is simply writing the essay for the good of his country, and there is no greater support for that statement than this short quote: 

    “…Of being a little cautious not to sell our country and consciences for nothing: Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants.” (Dr. Swift) 

    This is the theme and purpose of the paper summarized in one neat statement. Swift would like the Irish of the period to use their heads and avoid losing everything. Swift would also like the landlords to exercise mercy toward the poor. Granted this statement is in a paragraph about what Swift suspects may be objections to his plan, this is clearly the theme of the whole essay. 

    Swift, Jonathan. “A modest proposal.” 1729. Quotidiana. Ed. Patrick Madden. 19 Dec 2007. 01 Oct 2012 <http://essays.quotidiana.org/swift/modest_proposal/>.

    I would also like to point out that After watching the lecture, I read this whole paper -internally- in the voice of Stephen Colbert. At times I would laugh so hard I was forced to take a break to collect myself. I just thought I would share that experience, and encourage you to not read things in the voice of Colbert, it is unnecessarily difficult and very distracting.