Satire and Farce LRJ#1

Chue Meng Vang


Ms. Peifer


English 10 IB


March 25, 2009


A Modest Propsal LRJ


I personally found this satire very funny, amusing, and interesting. This satire by Jonathan Swift brings up the problem of "how to sovle all the poverty and starvation in Ireland?" To solve this problem he suggests to use the children of Ireland as food since they are usually used for basically nothing else but begging.

He actually "got" the idea from an American. "I have been assured by a very knowing American of my aquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old is most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, wethered stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout."(Swift, 2) The American says that babies are good cooked in many different ways. Swift assures that babies will remain in season all year and will porduce a profit for beggars. "Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after..."(Swift, 3)
"...the mother will have 8 shillings net profit..."(Swift, 3)

The purpose of the last paragraphs is to say this wasn't all his idea. Also that this should only be a last, and final solution. He probably already attempted several ideas to solve the problem in Ireland but failed. "But, as to myself, having been wearied out of many years with offering vain, idle, vissionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success..."(Swift, 6)
"I desire thise politicions who who dislike my overture, and prehaps be as bold as to attempt to answer..."(Swift, 6)

The real problem here that Swift is addressing is Ireland is in bad shape and England is doing nothing about it. He secretly addresses the true problems on pages 4-5. He lists six good reasons why.