In the essay, “A Modest Proposal”, author Jonathan Swift proposes that many of Ireland’s problems could be solved with one simple solution, treating the poor as animals. Swift’s essay satirizes the lower class, the rich, and the political leaders. Swift portrays his disappointed attitude toward the subject of Ireland’s population and poverty through comparison of the lower class to animals, intentional irony, and symbolism of food and animals. Throughout the essay Swift compares the lower class to nothing but animals. A “young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food… upon a medium that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds…increased to 28 pounds” were they shall “contribute to the feeding, and partly to the clothing, of many thousands.” (3,2) He compares children of a year old to animals, where they will be used as food and even clothing.
In addition to providing food for the wealthy and an income for the poor, Swift says that raising children for food will give the Irish economy a substantial boost. The children will be considered delicacies. Delicacies which will be sold as other goods. The author says that the only objection to his proposal will be that the population of Ireland will decrease. On the other hand, he says that reducing the population will make it easier for England to rule over them, so it can be considered a benefit for the English.
sacrificing the poor innocent babes” (Swift). The poorer citizens in Ireland should have a choice of aborting their child or not. The Author fits this into his proposal as doing Ireland and the economy a favor. There are so many children born to parents who cant afford to feed and clothed them, for economic reasons, aborting a poorer child would be doing less harm then bringing this child into a world of pain and suffering. Swift did not wish to implement his plan.
It is a great contradiction and absurdity that a husband and father propose the idea of cannibalism. The narrator does not want the reader to agree that the solution to overpopulation and poverty in Ireland is to eat babies; he wants the reader to see there needs to be a practical solution. Although something seems one way to the narrator, Jonathan Swift wants the reader to see it in an opposite light. Swift's opposition is indirectly presented. The author uses satire to accomplish his objective not only because he is able to conceal his true identity but also because it is the most effective way to awake the people of Ireland into seeing their own deprivation.
He is sarcastically calling the government of Ireland to action. They are consumed with selfishness and neglect to help improve their country by taking measures that are more charitable. In an ironic and cleverly delivered twist of words, he elaborates on his belief that the rich people are vulcer’s devouring the land, food and additional resources from the less fortunate people making it almost impossible for them to survive. Many of the poor resort to selling themselves as slaves in order to survive and provide for their families.
In Jonathan Swift’s satire, “A Modest Proposal” (1729), Swift makes a wild and far-fetched proposal to the people of Ireland to eat the young of the poor people. He proposes several reasons for this solution to the problem of an over-abundance of poor people living on the streets of Ireland. However, it is the opinion of the author of this review that Jonathan Swift did not successfully answer the question of how to pay for the rearing of the children. Therefore the argument is not truly effective. At the same time, it is in this authors opinion that the solution given within the proposal was not in fact meant to be an actual answer to the problem, instead it was a call to arms for the people of Ireland to begin thinking about the growing problem of the poor, and to perhaps come up with some answers to the problem at hand.
Singer creates two hypothetical situations to support his argument and to get the reader to ask themselves, "Should I do this or not?". I disagree with Peter Singer’s claim that all unnecessary luxuries should be sacrificed for the children in need overseas because most Americans really don’t have the money to give, if we stop buying the unnecessary items then that leaves people without jobs, and Singer demands we give to the needy but never says whether he does or not. The first reason Singer is incorrect is that he believes this radical theory that Americans should redirect all unnecessary income to organizations aiding victims of poverty. But yet I doubt he stops to think if Americans truly do or don’t have the money to give. When Singer states, "again, the formula is simple: whatever money you're spending on luxuries, not necessities, should be given away" (Singer) it’s like he believes Americans actually care.
Lastly, the stores that carry this company’s products are also affected. The ethical issues at hand involve false advertising, negatively impacting the health of children, and receiving bonuses based on harming others. Childhood obesity is currently a major issue. By gaining the attention and trust from parents who are looking for healthier breakfast choices for their children, this company is deliberately taking advantage of them. In the end, it is the children and their wellbeing that will be hurt the most.
Julia Sanford January 5, 2014 Period 3 Satirical Analysis Satire is used in “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift, “Advice to Youth by Mark Twain and as an additional resource, satire is also used in the television show “The Simpsons”. “A Modest Proposal” was written in 1729 and during that time most of the people in Ireland lived in poverty due to England’s control over them, so Swift comes up with his “modest proposal” which is to eat babies and sell them. He mockingly states that it can solve all of Ireland’s problems. By presenting his proposal he uses a great amount of satire such as “A young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food”. Also “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 first day, especially in the winter”.
The work they were able to find was manual labor with low pay. When it came to non manual types of work employers accompanied the ads with a “no Irish need apply” stipulation. (D. Harris) This ties into the dual labor market theory. The jobs were there, just not for the Irish. Some believe this was due to a fear of the Irish and the idea that they could become strong in political government if given the opportunity.