Faced with constant financial oppression from Great Britain and an apathetic hierarchy, 16th Century Ireland found itself in a dilemma that would dwindle its already weakened state. Essayist Jonathan Swift, in his appalling, yet rational “Modest Proposal” presents a solution to the country’s economic crisis by selling the children of impoverished households to the wealthy as a form of sustainable sustenance. Through the use of hyperbole and irony, Swift, in a highly sardonic tone, reveals the absurdity of England’s oppression on Ireland’s economy while also exposing the callousness of the wealthy upper class.
While the entire piece itself was widely hyperbolic, Swift emphasizes the satirical device in order to display his irritance with Ireland’s …show more content…
The emphasis on the “horrid” practice when compared to his suggestion to rid Ireland of its surplus of children is purposely outlandish in order to portray England’s exploitation of the country to those who believe the financial abuse is justified. While Swift’s twisted rationale is intentionally present throughout the text, the calmness in which he proposes this logic is directly paralleled to the wealthy’s insensitivity towards the poor families being exploited through heavy taxation. The author does not stop there, however, as he continues to go on a tangent about the use of leftover carcasses, “the skin of which artificially dressed will make admirable gloves for ladies” (17). Swift’s usage of the phrase “admirable” makes out to be antithetical, as the actions taken in order to obtain such gloves would prove to be anything but praiseworthy. The irony of the situation that come from the comfort of the wearer coming at the cost of the discomfort of the “livestock” is comparable to the injustice faced by the poor from the wealthy upper
While the entire piece itself was widely hyperbolic, Swift emphasizes the satirical device in order to display his irritance with Ireland’s …show more content…
The emphasis on the “horrid” practice when compared to his suggestion to rid Ireland of its surplus of children is purposely outlandish in order to portray England’s exploitation of the country to those who believe the financial abuse is justified. While Swift’s twisted rationale is intentionally present throughout the text, the calmness in which he proposes this logic is directly paralleled to the wealthy’s insensitivity towards the poor families being exploited through heavy taxation. The author does not stop there, however, as he continues to go on a tangent about the use of leftover carcasses, “the skin of which artificially dressed will make admirable gloves for ladies” (17). Swift’s usage of the phrase “admirable” makes out to be antithetical, as the actions taken in order to obtain such gloves would prove to be anything but praiseworthy. The irony of the situation that come from the comfort of the wearer coming at the cost of the discomfort of the “livestock” is comparable to the injustice faced by the poor from the wealthy upper