Friday, March 30, 2012

Examining the Execution of A Modest Proposal

                Intending to shock Ireland into change in A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift makes use of hyperbolic solution, descriptive language and satirical analysis in order to openly express his critiques both of the Irish government, and its citizens.
                Swift, of course, assumes people value human life and care for the wellbeing of the poor and hungry; because of this, the author expects his audience to be upset over his shocking and exaggerated suggestion to eat the children. By jokingly suggesting that their offspring should be used as food, Swift appeals to parental emotion: “a healthy young child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food” (Swift). Knowing that many will be affected by his outrageous proposition, Swift aims to draw attention to the poverty and overpopulation in Ireland. The unethical proposal to eat “a beggar’s child” and referring to infants as “excellent nutritive meat “hopes to shock the public into realizing the state of Ireland, and producing alternate, more appropriate solutions; Swift is “not to violently bent upon [his] own opinion, as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual.”
            To make his argument more effective, Swift utilizes graphic, descriptive language to summarize the particulars of his “scheme”. In his argument, the author not only suggests the consumption of infants, but clearly outlines the process of raising the children, and the options for cooking them; “whether stewed, roasted, baked or broiled …it will equally serve as a fricasie or ragoust”. Only Swift’s use of over-the-top and detailed diction hint to the reader that the essay is a work of satire: “the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barrel’d beef: the propagation of swine’s flesh, and improvement in the art of making bacon…are no way comparable in taste3 or magnificence to a well grown, fat yearly child”. The language, and tone established through the language both work to make Swift’s essay effective in producing reactions in the reader.
            Each example or piece of data provided by Swift is supported and in depth, though the evidence itself is never quite serious. In being “assured by a very knowing American of [his] acquaintance in London”, Swift expects the audience to take what he is saying somewhat in earnest. Because the source of his data is never really specified, though, it can be inferred that most, if not all of it, it untrue. Swift is “assured by [the] merchants” on topics which seem obscene and seemingly impossible to have been tested. “Some persons” and “friends” are referenced in alleged support of Swift’s proposal and as offering evidence for it, though, there is no certainty as to where the proof or espousals come from, or how it was determined. The unrealistic quality of his claims paired with the ambiguity of his evidence creates a subtle satirical humor to the reader that knows the piece is not a genuine proposal.
            Through using histrionic solution, graphic diction and humorously questionable analysis in A Modest Proposal, Swifts’ clear criticism of social issues in Ireland is emphasized. Jonathan Swift creates a satirical essay put forward to inspire change and open the eyes of Irish citizens. Poverty and overpopulation are a problem for the country, and a burden to the people; the author merely intends to instigate thought about plausible solutions to these troubles.

1 comment:

  1. nice work cassie. your device and adjective pairing is superb, as always. also liked your quote selection and integration. just one thing i believe would add to your work- the removal of "of course" in the first line of the first paragraph after the thesis to make the language less conversational. as of right now, i cant find anything that would detract. great job :)

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