"A Modest Proposal" is a satirical essay written by Jonathan Swift and published in 1729.

The essay
suggests a darkly humorous and shocking solution to the problem of overpopulation and poverty in
Ireland during that time.
Summary: In "A Modest Proposal," Swift begins by acknowledging the dire economic and social
conditions in Ireland. He highlights the issue of widespread poverty, especially among the Irish
Catholic population, and the burden of too many children on impoverished families. Swift then
proposes a "modest" and apparently rational solution to this problem, which he presents in a
straightforward and serious manner: he suggests that the poor Irish should sell their infants as a
source of income and food. He goes into gruesome detail, discussing the advantages of this
proposition, including economic benefits, reduction of overpopulation, and the potential economic
boon from the sale of children as meat, clothing, and income for their impoverished parents.
Swift's proposal, however, is a scathing satire. He is not advocating for child cannibalism but using
shock and irony to criticize the British government's exploitation of Ireland and its neglect of the
Irish people. He suggests that the English landlords and the government view the Irish as mere
commodities to be exploited, just as his proposal treats Irish children as commodities. Swift's essay
serves as a biting critique of British colonial policies and their indifference to the suffering of the
Irish people.
In the final part of the essay, Swift reveals his true intention, expressing his deep concern for the
Irish and his disdain for the English exploitation of the country. He condemns the callous attitudes of
the ruling class and suggests that if they do not address the economic and social problems in Ireland,
then more drastic measures may become necessary.
Overall, "A Modest Proposal" is a masterful work of satirical literature that uses shocking
exaggeration and dark humor to criticize the oppressive British policies in Ireland and highlight the
desperate plight of the Irish people during this period. It remains one of the most famous and
effective satirical works in the English language, addressing social and political issues through
clever and cutting commentary.

Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is a satirical critique that takes aim at several aspects of
British colonial rule in Ireland and the prevailing social and economic conditions. The key criticisms
made by Swift in the essay include:
1. British Exploitation: Swift criticizes the British ruling class and its exploitation of Ireland's
resources and people. He highlights how the English landlords and authorities were extracting
wealth from Ireland, leaving the Irish impoverished.
2. Neglect of the Irish People: Swift condemns the British government's neglect of the Irish
population, particularly the Catholic majority. He accuses the English of turning a blind eye to
the dire conditions in which the Irish lived.
3. Economic Inequity: Swift critiques the economic inequality in Ireland, with a wealthy English
elite profiting at the expense of the impoverished Irish. He emphasizes how this economic
disparity contributed to the suffering of the Irish people.
4. Dehumanization: Swift's proposal, which suggests selling and consuming Irish infants, is a
critique of the dehumanization of the Irish in the eyes of the English ruling class. He underscores
how the Irish are reduced to commodities rather than treated with dignity.
 5. Irony and Hypocrisy: Swift uses irony to point out the hypocrisy of the British authorities. He
shows how the English, who were supposed to be responsible for the welfare of the Irish, were
actually contributing to their misery.
In essence, "A Modest Proposal" is a scathing critique of British colonial policies, the exploitation of
Ireland, and the suffering of the Irish people. Swift uses satire to expose the injustice, indifference,
and cruelty of the ruling class, calling for reform and drawing attention to the urgent need for change
in Ireland.
Certainly, here are some specific examples of criticisms and satirical elements in "A Modest
Proposal" by Jonathan Swift:
1. Dehumanization and Commodity: Swift suggests that Irish infants should be treated as
commodities, to be sold and consumed. He says, "A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year
old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or
boiled..."
2. Exaggerated Benefits: He lists various economic and social benefits of his proposal, such as
reducing the population and poverty. For instance, he claims that the sale of children would
provide "for the public, which would be thereby relieved in part, and that the nation at present
burthened with them, so many helpless infants."
3. Irony: Swift employs irony when he refers to his proposal as "modest" and "humble," even
though it is shocking and horrific. He suggests that his plan will "prevent those voluntary
abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children."
4. British Exploitation: While discussing the economic situation in Ireland, Swift criticizes the
British for taking away Ireland's resources and wealth, leaving the Irish impoverished. He writes,
"I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the
least objection."
5. Indifference to Irish Suffering: Swift satirically suggests that the English ruling class might
benefit from his proposal and expresses his disappointment that the English have not already
devised such a scheme: "I grant this food 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."
Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is often seen as a work that engages with and critiques
aspects of the Enlightenment, rather than aligning itself directly with the Enlightenment ideals. The
Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that emphasized reason, rationality,
and the belief in human progress through science and education. While Swift's essay predates the full
flowering of the Enlightenment, it can be related to the Enlightenment in the following ways:
1. Rationality and Logic: The Enlightenment emphasized rationality and logic, and Swift's essay
is presented in a seemingly logical and rational manner, which is part of its satirical impact. The
proposal to sell and consume infants is laid out with a calculated and reasoned approach, creating
a stark contrast between the apparent rationality of the proposal and the horrifying nature of the
suggestion.
2. Critique of Social Issues: Enlightenment thinkers often critiqued the social and political
problems of their time. Swift uses "A Modest Proposal" to critique the economic exploitation and
suffering of the Irish people under British rule, which aligns with the Enlightenment's focus on
exposing and addressing societal issues.
 3. Scepticism and Irony: Enlightenment thinkers often employed scepticism and irony to question
prevailing norms and expose societal problems. Swift's use of irony in his proposal is a technique
commonly associated with Enlightenment writing. He employs this irony to satirically highlight
the absurdity and inhumanity of the situation in Ireland.
However, it's important to note that Swift's essay is a scathing and dark satire, and it doesn't endorse
Enlightenment ideals outright. In fact, Swift's critique is directed at the British government's failure
to address the suffering of the Irish, and he uses the essay to highlight the moral and ethical
shortcomings of the ruling class. In this sense, "A Modest Proposal" can be seen as a satirical
response to the failures of the Enlightenment in addressing social and political issues in Ireland
during the 18th century.
In "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift, several allusions and references that contribute to satire
and social commentary can be identified. Some of the most notable allusions include:
Bible: Swift makes several references to the Bible to enhance irony and satire. For example, when he
discusses the economic benefits of his proposal, he alludes to the biblical story of Abraham and his
willingness to sacrifice his own son, Isaac.
Colonization and exploitation: Although not an explicit reference, the entire work is a critique of
British colonization of Ireland and the economic and social exploitation of the Irish by the English.
This is a constant allusion in the text.
Politics: Swift also makes allusions to the politics of the time. The suggestion that the Irish should
sell their children as food and a source of income can be seen as a criticism of the policies of
dispossession and neglect by the British administration in Ireland.
Economy: The focus on economics and efficiency in Swift's proposal can be viewed as a critique of
the excessively utilitarian and economic focus of society.
Dehumanization: The dehumanization of the Irish and the reduction of children to commodities can
be seen as an allusion to the way oppressors often dehumanize the oppressed to justify their
exploitation.
Overall, "A Modest Proposal" is a work filled with allusions that help Swift satirize the oppression,
exploitation, and neglect experienced by the Irish under British rule and expose the moral and ethical
failings of the society of his time. These allusions serve to intensify the impact of satire and social
commentary in the work.
Biblical Allusions: Swift makes a reference to the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac when
discussing the economic benefits of his proposal. He suggests that selling children for
consumption would be in line with the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his own son, Isaac.
1. Political Allusion: The entire essay can be seen as an allusion to the political situation in Ireland
during Swift's time. The proposal to sell and consume children can be interpreted as a satirical
commentary on the exploitation of the Irish population by the English ruling class.
2. Economic Allusion: Swift's emphasis on the economic aspects of his proposal alludes to the
economic exploitation of Ireland by England. He highlights how the English were extracting
wealth from Ireland, leaving the Irish impoverished.
3. Dehumanization: The dehumanization of the Irish and the reduction of children to mere
commodities can be seen as an allusion to the dehumanizing tactics employed by oppressors to
justify their exploitation.
These allusions serve to intensify the impact of Swift's satire and underscore his criticism of the
oppressive British policies in Ireland and the moral and ethical failings of the society of his time.
"A Modest Proposal" was written by Jonathan Swift and published in 1729. To understand the
context of its production, it's essential to consider the historical, social, and political backdrop of
the time:
1. Colonial Ireland: At the time of writing, Ireland was under British colonial rule. The English
Crown held significant power in Ireland, and there was a history of exploitation, land
confiscation, and economic oppression of the Irish population by English landlords and the
ruling class.
2. Poverty and Overpopulation: Ireland faced severe economic and social problems. The majority
of the Irish population, particularly Catholics, lived in poverty. Overpopulation was a significant
concern, and many Irish families struggled to feed and support their children.
3. Religious Divide: There was a religious divide in Ireland, with the majority of the Irish
population being Catholic while the English and the ruling elite were predominantly Protestant.
This religious division contributed to tensions and disparities in land ownership and political
power.
4. Anglo-Irish Relations: Swift was an Anglo-Irish clergyman, and he was deeply concerned about
the plight of the Irish. He had a complex identity, being born in Ireland but having connections to
England. His writings often reflected his sense of duty to both his Irish heritage and his role in
the Anglican Church.
5. Satire and Political Commentary: Swift was a master of satire, and "A Modest Proposal" is a
prime example of his satirical work. The essay was written as a response to the dire conditions in
Ireland and as a critique of British colonial policies and the indifference of the English ruling
class.
6. Pamphlet Culture: During this period, pamphlets were a common medium for political and
social commentary. "A Modest Proposal" was published as a pamphlet and distributed widely,
allowing it to reach a broad audience.
In this context, "A Modest Proposal" was a biting and satirical critique of the British exploitation of
Ireland and the suffering of the Irish people. Swift used his work to highlight the urgent need for
reform and to draw attention to the economic and social issues faced by the Irish during this time.
The essay is a response to the harsh realities of life in Ireland and the failure of the British
government to address the problems faced by the Irish population.
In "A Modest Proposal," Jonathan Swift employs the concept of "suspension of disbelief" to create
a satirical and thought-provoking piece of writing. This concept is often associated with fiction and
storytelling, where the audience temporarily sets aside their scepticism to accept the premise of the
story. In Swift's essay, readers are expected to suspend their disbelief to engage with the outrageous
proposal, which involves selling and consuming infants, as a vehicle for social commentary. Here's
how this works in the context of the proposal:
1. Shocking Premise: Swift presents a shocking and morally repugnant proposal – that the poor
Irish should sell their infants as a source of income and food. This proposal is so extreme and
absurd that readers are initially taken aback by its audacity.
2. Serious and Rational Tone: Swift writes the proposal in a serious and rational tone, as if he
genuinely believes it to be a reasonable solution to the problems of overpopulation and poverty.
 This tone encourages readers to engage with the essay as if it were a sincere proposal, even
though it is patently absurd.
3. Detailed Argumentation: Swift provides detailed and seemingly logical arguments to support
his proposal, discussing the economic benefits, potential income, and practical advantages of the
plan. He goes into grotesque detail, which further encourages the suspension of disbelief.
4. Gradual Revelation: As the essay progresses, Swift gradually reveals his true intentions and the
satirical nature of the proposal. He expresses his deep concern for the Irish people and his
disdain for the English exploitation of Ireland.
By initially presenting the outrageous proposal in a straightforward and rational manner, Swift
effectively engages readers in the suspension of disbelief. This technique allows him to deliver a
powerful and thought-provoking critique of British colonial policies and the plight of the Irish
people by using shock and irony to provoke readers into critically examining the social and political
issues of the time.
"A Modest Proposal" is a satirical text because it uses humour, irony, and exaggeration to criticize
and ridicule the prevailing social, economic, and political conditions of its time. There are several
reasons why this essay is considered a work of satire:
1. Absurd Proposal: The central premise of Swift's essay is the absurd proposal to sell and
consume Irish infants as a solution to overpopulation and poverty. This proposal is so extreme
and shocking that it serves as a form of hyperbole, highlighting the dire conditions in Ireland and
the perceived indifference of the ruling class.
2. Ironic Tone: Swift presents his proposal with a completely serious and rational tone, even
though the proposal itself is morally repugnant. The use of irony is evident in the stark contrast
between the serious tone and the absurdity of the suggestion.
3. Exaggeration: Swift employs exaggeration to emphasize the problems in Ireland. He
exaggerates the economic benefits, the reduction of the population, and the potential income
from the sale of children, making the critique of British exploitation and neglect more powerful.
4. Social Critique: The essay serves as a sharp social critique, targeting the British colonial rule in
Ireland and the suffering of the Irish people. Swift uses the absurd proposal to draw attention to
the very real economic and social problems in Ireland.
5. Indirect Criticism: Swift's indirect approach to criticism, disguised as a "modest proposal,"
allows him to criticize the British policies and the ruling class without directly accusing them,
making his critique more subversive.
6. Societal Injustice: The essay highlights the moral and ethical shortcomings of the society of the
time, where the suffering of the Irish is ignored or even seen as an opportunity for profit.
In sum, "A Modest Proposal" is a satirical text because it uses humour and exaggeration to draw
attention to the serious social and political issues of the time, critique British colonial policies, and
expose the suffering of the Irish population. Swift's satirical approach is both thought-provoking and
memorable, making it one of the most famous and effective satirical works in the English language.