Poverty is a prevalent issue in society, not having enough to support one’s family and struggling to just survive is universal. What if there was a way to fix that? Dr. Jonathan Swift proposes an interesting idea in his pamphlet A Modest Proposal to satiate the impoverished nation of Ireland during the 18th century. He begins by identifying the problem: the massive population of beggars. These beggars have too many children to feed and not enough money to care for them. Then he moves on to his main idea, children are delicious. They should be sold for food and to benefit the family making the sale. Swift proves his credibility, uses pathos and logos, and utilizes diction to convince the reader that devouring babies will solve Ireland’s poverty
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He appeals to logic by stating the cost to raise a child until the age of one and comparing it to its likely sale price of “ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child” (3). Any reasonable person can see how this can benefit an impoverished family. Additionally, a net gain of eight shillings would persuade a poor family, who cannot afford to raise their child for two shillings in the first place. Next, Swift appeals to the ethical reader concerned about the mother’s wellbeing: “men would become as fond of their wives […] as they are now of their mares in foal” and will not beat them (5). According to Swift, this practice occurs all too often in Ireland and he, along with others, are not partial to it. His appeal to morality is effective because it strikes readers in a sensitive spot, this so called practice is absolutely wrong and Swift argues that his proposal will help in ending it. Also, poverty is so intense that it would be “a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old [… to] avoid such a perpetual scene of misfortunes” (7). Swift paints a horrid image of what it is like to live in the dark depths of poverty, urging one to imagine what it would be like. This technique strongly supports his claim by asserting that it is better to be dead than poor. Furthermore, Swift highlights the cyclical nature of those in need: “they cannot get work, and consequently pine away from want of nourishment” to such a degree that when they find work, they cannot preform it (5). This cycle seems to have no end but Swift offers hope with his solution. He supports his modest proposal arguing that it will fix the cycle and save the country, which any good Irish reader would
He appeals to logic by stating the cost to raise a child until the age of one and comparing it to its likely sale price of “ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child” (3). Any reasonable person can see how this can benefit an impoverished family. Additionally, a net gain of eight shillings would persuade a poor family, who cannot afford to raise their child for two shillings in the first place. Next, Swift appeals to the ethical reader concerned about the mother’s wellbeing: “men would become as fond of their wives […] as they are now of their mares in foal” and will not beat them (5). According to Swift, this practice occurs all too often in Ireland and he, along with others, are not partial to it. His appeal to morality is effective because it strikes readers in a sensitive spot, this so called practice is absolutely wrong and Swift argues that his proposal will help in ending it. Also, poverty is so intense that it would be “a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old [… to] avoid such a perpetual scene of misfortunes” (7). Swift paints a horrid image of what it is like to live in the dark depths of poverty, urging one to imagine what it would be like. This technique strongly supports his claim by asserting that it is better to be dead than poor. Furthermore, Swift highlights the cyclical nature of those in need: “they cannot get work, and consequently pine away from want of nourishment” to such a degree that when they find work, they cannot preform it (5). This cycle seems to have no end but Swift offers hope with his solution. He supports his modest proposal arguing that it will fix the cycle and save the country, which any good Irish reader would