A Modest Proposal Critical Analysis

For how short Swift’s work is, “A Modest Proposal” gives the reader a very strong representation of several aspects of human progression during the age of enlightenment. Swift gives the readers a very gruesome look at what humans are capable of. Through the age of enlightenment, people show concern for only themselves. Rather than show any concern for their peers or surroundings, the groups mentioned from Swift’s work would turn a blind eye or simply ignore the situation. Without authors such as Swift, human advancement would take a turn for the worse. With the moral and ethical appeal that Swift uses, he brings an idea of concern, for the fellow man, back to our thought process; along with social progression, and how this affects the economic …show more content…
Swifts foremost concern is the blight, which is the Irish economy. Pointed out with this quote, “not to sell our country and consciences for nothing: Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shop-keepers.” Swift recognizes that the above subjects are the primary issue and why the Irish poor are in their current predicament. But before he gives this option to the reader, Swift goes on a tangent. The option is to kill and sell Irish children as meat to the market. This lack of a moral compass, reflects the concern or lack thereof from the upper class merchants and landlords towards their peers or the poor of Ireland. Swift suggests that with his work “I grant this food (the children) will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” If the landlords are figuratively eating the parents, by exploiting them for all their money, why not literally eat the children as