Criticism of Swift’s 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 eighteenth century. Swift takes ‘irony’ as the best weapon to attack all kinds of vices and injustices that prevail in society. Now we will see how Swift criticizes society in his essay.

Before, entering our discussion, we are going to know something about 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 limiting the rights of the Irish to hold government office, buy real estate and obtain an education. Consequently, many Irish people flee and those who stay live in poverty, disease and starvation.

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

In addition, the author fears that, when the children of these beggars grow up, “either they become Thieves due to lack of Work, or they leave their beloved Homeland, to fight for the Suitor 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 insouciance in the face of repeated calls to feed those hungry mouths.

Now, quickly, as an English patriot he 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 for their Parents, or the Parish, or lacking Food and Clothing for the rest of their Lives, they should, on the contrary, contribute to the Food, and partly to the Clothing , of many thousands”.

Swift criticizes the authority, considering that this scheme “will prevent those voluntary abortions and that horrible practice of women murdering their bastard children” that is “all 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 way and with great gravity. 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 portion of Irish children should be slaughtered and their corpses sold to the wealthy and landlords so that poor parents can benefit financially and relieve themselves of the burden of child support. The essayist criticizes the brutal mentality of the authority, which never considered the Irish as a human being. To indicate his pettiness, the essayist uses those words that are more appropriate to the animal than to 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.

Once again, the essayist equates the oppressors with the butchers who mercilessly snatch bread from the hands of Irish children and send them down the road to death. As the author says:

“… and we can be sure that butchers will not be lacking”

The essayist also criticizes the landlords for their aggressive attitude towards the Irish poor. As Swift points out:

“I GRANT that this Meal will be somewhat expensive and therefore very appropriate to the landlords; who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title for the children.”

Swift stabs the authorities for their mistreatment of the poor Irish, thinking that they will be only too happy to eat human flesh as they have passed out.

“I could name a country, which would be happy to gobble up our entire nation without it.”

The author also criticizes the fashionable ladies and the so-called gentle people of society. As he says:

“THOSE who are more thrifty (as I must confess the Times requires) may flay 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.

Secondly: poor parents will get some money with which they can pay rent from landlords.

Thirdly: money will circulate among the Irish and increase the national income.

Fourth, mothers will be exempt from child support after the first year.

Fifth – empty taverns will be filled with a large number of customers.

Finally: it will be a great stimulus for marriage and will increase the mother’s care and tenderness towards her children.

Actually, Swift’s proposal shocks every reader, even the cruel barbarian can’t think of such a cannibalistic idea of ​​eating man’s meat. Anyone with common sense can easily understand that out of extreme agony the essayist makes such a suggestion. He wants to say under 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, for its ease, very successfully attracts 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 uses his mighty pen against the English oppressors with great success by ridiculing their supposed vanity, since 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.