A Modest Proposal

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In “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift, it is clear that there is a serious problem that is being brought to attention because of the great amounts of children that are living on the street, and mothers having to beg for money. In this essay by Swift, he captures the attention of readers very well, speaking with authority and drawing the reader to find out what a solution could be to this problem. The logic that Swift uses for a solution isn’t found until the end of the essay, due to the fact that since as early as the third paragraph Swift begins to use sarcasm to make people realize that what is going on isn’t okay. I believe that using such graphic descriptions; in a non-serious manner causes the reader to want to find out what Swift is “getting too” to find out his point. His purpose is reached; get the audience and grab attention to provide real solutions for such a big issue in England.

From the beginning of Swift’s essay, he begins to describe sorrowfully the issue of having too many people begging on the Streets. Swift starts of by stating “It is a melancholy object to those who walk through this great town or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads, and cabin doors, crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags and importuning every passenger for an alms” (Swift). In the opening sentence of the essay, he describes the people as a ‘melancholy object’ meaning something sad, sorry, and depressing to lay eyes on. Swift calls to attention that this problem isn’t occurring within slight numbers, but streets being bombarded with this issue, proving that it has been occurring for more than just awhile. Jonathan Swift addresses everyone in England by saying ‘those who walk through this great town.’ Immediately people in England are able to relate by drawing an image in their own minds because just being there, it is evident that the issue is there. Swift proposes that these children can and need to be made into good a helpful citizen.

Swift then transitions to the idea of cannibalism; using the children as food, and their skin for leather and other things, although it is not to be taken literally. “A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter” (Swift). This is a very vivid example of Swift being sarcastic to call to the attention of the English government, knowing that those higher on the social ladder live a very lavish and comfortable life. He is implying that those in the government, ignoring this issue, maybe would take an act on it if maybe someone acted on using the children as food and leather. Also, what if government didn’t mind, due to the fact that they ignore the case anyways. The audience instantly realizes that something must be done, knowing this isn’t the solution, but something has to happen before something even worse can happen to these people on the streets.

Swift continues to ramble about the different uses that these poor children and mothers could serve, but admits that he has gotten off of his topic of a solution for too long. When really, he didn’t digress but made his audience think and wonder what could happen.

Finally Swift announces his realistic solutions and proposes six different logical causes and effects. Here is a brief statement of the 6 solutions. Reduce the number of Papist. Have the poorer tenants have something valuable of their own, to pay landlords with. Increase amount of shillings per year, and it will circulate amoungst themselves anyways. Constant breeders of food should be rid of charge to maintain them after their 1st year. The increase in food will cause people to spend money to eat at places and open jobs. Rewards for marriage. Swift is so sure that these solutions will work and cannot be rejected he states, “I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom” (Swift).  This sense of positivity and being so sure of himself instantly proves the “ethos” in this essay is reached highly. It is clear that throughout the essay, Swift reaches his audience. Keeping attention of the audience giving them reasons to think, and clarify his solutions.