Abner Martinez Professor Mayreis-Voorhis English 1C September 21, 2013

In Jonathan Swifts A Modest Proposal he suggests a very unique solution to poverty in Ireland. That solution involves the treatment of impoverished infants to be similar to that of livestock by raising them for the sole purpose of being sold as food to the wealthy. Throughout the passages he provides various reasons in support of his suggestion but then also makes clear that there are other suggested alternatives; although he doesnt believe they will be as effective as his. One of those suggested alternatives is to buy materials only from within the same country. In principle this is a great idea because it would keep expenses and incomes within their own economy allowing for the kingdom to proper as a whole. The idea is that if they dont buy exported materials then they will be able to apply more money to their own infrastructure. This alternative also suggests that it will boost morality and increase pride in their nation. With this added jolt to the patriotism of the land, the alternatives suggest that it will lead to land owners to treat their tenants with increased courtesy which will lead the way to a better Ireland. Once these elements of the suggested alternatives are combined they will work together to make the nation strong and not sell themselves for cheap when it comes to other countries and their goods. They will not be dependent on other countries for their well being and they will be able to fend for themselves and be a proud kingdom. With this new way of life adapted over the suggestion of eating children, it will cause for merchants of Irish goods to sell honestly and this new found honesty will in theory create more trust for their own products and result in minimizing the dependency on other countries. With all these ideas combined there would be no need to deplete the impoverished by turning them into a consumable product, instead the entire nation will stand strong as a whole with everyone treating each other with courtesy. This would result in the desired result of a renewed and proud nation.