Cannibalism In A Modest Proposal

In Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal, he uses a satirical form to exemplify the harsh reality of the treatment of the poor in 1700 Ireland. By proposing the inhumane practice of the selling of poor infants to the rich to be sacrificed to cannibalism, Swift mirrors the devouring nature of the economy by the rich that leaves the poor with nothing. Swift’s objective of such an absurd idea does not serve to be taken seriously, rather than to bring attention to the poor Irishmen by using the idea of cannibalism to draw in and provide the unknowledgable at the time with a vivid image of what horrors Ireland was facing. Swift’s argument holds true that, the landlords of 1700 Ireland took all they could from their tenants, forcing them into poverty, …show more content…
After years from the publishing of A Modest Proposal, Swift’s argument has not made too drastic of changes. It is logical to assert that the past condition of the economy ruling rich and the poor is not improving enough; and therefore another “proposal” may be in order. The poor are currently drawing in a state of negativity as they are being blamed for the poverty of America; although if Swift were able to come back today and use his style of drastic satire to exemplify the country’s current condition, maybe things could change. Or, perhaps if Swift’s original proposal were to draw the attention of those of our society today, maybe then his voice could be heard loud and clear and the balance of the wealthy and poor could become more equal for all. Both the rich and the poor need to gain an understanding of what the real issues are, and how to properly combat them in order to help the situation. In over three-hundred years, poverty is continuing to be an issue; and it appear that even stronger of a piece than A Modest Proposal is what America