A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal is a masterful work of 18th-century political satire, addressing the severe poverty and overpopulation affecting Ireland. In this provocative essay, Swift offers a shocking solution: impoverished families could alleviate their struggles by selling their children as food for the wealthy. Written in a calm and reasoned tone, the essay methodically outlines the supposed economic and societal benefits of this grotesque proposal, including reducing poverty and providing financial relief to destitute families. Beneath its disturbing premise, the work critiques the British government’s exploitation of Ireland and the dehumanizing effects of colonial policies. By presenting such an absurd and morally repugnant idea, Swift forces readers to confront the cruelty and indifference of societal structures, urging them to consider the moral responsibilities owed to the impoverished.