Swifts A Modest Proposal - Essay Example

Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” “A Modest Proposal” opens with what appears to be compassion and concern over the situation of those in society who are in poverty and struggling to keep their families fed. Swift describes how these individuals have become a burden to society and also the financial difficulties that it can impose on members of society. The author describes cooking processes and stewing (Swift, 1729), which suddenly shocks the reader into realizing that Swift intends to use children as meat to feed those in poverty!

Despite the shock of his proposal, the author does use a great deal of logic and reason to back up his argument. He describes how easily the parents of the children can support the nourishment of their children since the mother, herself, produces the milk. By describing that using children to feed the poor will not be a financial burden to society, Swift is able to effectively convince the reader that the proposal could work. The surprise ending is actually supported by rational thinking and, despite the ethical problems of the proposal, it is a workable and valid strategy.

Though shocked by the proposal, the reader could actually support this argument because of its well-crafted tone and rationale.