A MODEST PROPOSAL Satirical Essay by Jonathan Swift

“A MODEST PROPOSAL” Satirical Essay by Jonathan Swift

THIS IS SATIRE! Satire mocks something in order to bring about change. Sometimes satire uses hyperbole (extreme exaggeration) or verbal irony to make its point. Verbal irony occurs when a writer or speaker says one thing but really means something quite different—usually the exact opposite. Swift proposes an outrageous solution to the problem to get people thinking about real solutions.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Swift writes in response to the impoverishment of the people of Ireland in the late 1720 s. Ireland had been subject to English control for almost 500 years. While Scotland united with England in 1707, Ireland was excluded from the union. Ireland had experienced years of poor crops and lacked trade opportunities, so the populace lived in poverty. Beggars and starving children were common sights. Because Roman Catholicism was the most common religion in Ireland, large families were the norm, resulting in added stress to the country’s limited resources.

WHAT WERE PAMPHLETS? During the 1700’s, pamphlets were a popular means used by writers to spread ideas. Because of Ireland’s economic issues, pamphlets had circulated with ideas to alleviate the problem. However, these ideas were dismissed. Because Swift felt that logical solutions to the problem were being dismissed without consideration, he wrote a satirical essay called “A Modest Proposal, ” which parodies the style of real pamphlets. (Remember the articles I showed you from The Onion? ) Swift wanted change the way that people thought about these issues, especially those who were apathetic or unresponsive to the situation.