Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal Essay Example
Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal Essay Example

Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal Essay Example

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  • Pages: 1 (256 words)
  • Published: April 2, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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In the year 1729, Ireland's population was composed of a seventy percent majority of Catholics. Despite this, the country was governed by a Protestant leader who exhibited prejudice towards the Irish people. The leader targeted the Irish Catholic inhabitants with harsh penalties, which subsequently led to severe impoverishment. The dire situation of these individuals is vividly portrayed in Jonathan Swift’s article, A Modest Proposal, which depicts women pleading and their multitude of children trailing behind them. Rather than completely eradicating the problem, Swift interestingly proposes to transform the issue into its own resolution.

Essentially, the suggestion is to sell young children to affluent individuals as food. Swift backs up this notion with numerous figures and even proposes a few recipes. He believes that this plan surpasses all othe

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r solutions proposed so far to address overpopulation. There are two possible ways in which the readers could interpret the gravity of the article. Swift effectively provides satirical justification for his assertions, presenting himself as truly knowledgeable.

Certain readers may find themselves baffled and astounded after going over the part explaining the data, potentially leading them to believe that Swift genuinely means what he proposes. Conversely, another reader might immediately grasp the absurdity of Swift's suggestions about utilizing human children for sustenance, interpreting the piece as a parody. It was Jonathan Swift's objective for this article to serve as a wake-up call. Regardless of their interpretation of the proposal's sincerity, readers will undoubtedly recognize the pressing significance Swift aimed to convey when he wrote it.

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