“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift

Summary & Analysis

Paragraph 4: Swift proposes that the babies should be eaten to feed the country and to clothe
thousands.

*Swift is utilizing satire to prove what needs to be done to help people.

Paragraph 5: By having children, the number of abortions will decrease. Children will now serve a
purpose.

*Very stark picture/straight forward picture of poverty. This text is not necessarily how he feels in real
life! In the text, he says that it’s their fault that the people are poor… This is not how he really feels!

Paragraph 6: How the children are raised is discussed. Who will be kept for breeding? Children from
impoverished families will be used for food and leather.

Paragraph 7: Younger children are worth more money than older children.

*The Irish are not faithful to their country/not fulfilling their responsibilities as true citizens. They flee
when it gets tough. There is a lot of crime because of the poor. The poor are creating an economic issue,
as well as financial issues. He writes in a very cold-blooded way that is very exaggerated.

Paragraphs 8-10: “Swift”- as a writer- says he will give the reader his thoughts: please do not object to
them. He says that according to an American friend, Children would be a “good eat”. One male would be
sufficient to feed females.

*Papist- Roman Catholic. It is an insult to be called a Papist.

Many had children out of wedlock during this time.

Paragraphs 11-13: *Paragraph 12: Landlords are taking the peoples’ money (the reason why so many are
poor). Swift says they might as well take their children, too.
Paragraph 14: Swift notes much food the children provide/the monetary benefit that the children will
provide. Here, he points out the extreme poverty in Ireland. Someone might be pushed to sell his or her
child just to earn money.

Paragraphs 15-17: Young girls (12-14 years old) can replace deer meat (says his American friend), but
that’d be too cruel. They can be bred and wouldn’t taste too good since they exercise too much.

*Darkly ironic, shocks the reader.

Paragraphs 18-19: Older people, those with diseases, and those who have been injured do not need to
be worried about. Their lifestyle will take care of them.

*A parody of what the government does when people need help. Satires what should be done with the
poor in Ireland.

*Details of Swift’s proposal (included in these paragraphs). His suggestions: the price of meat, its
availability year round, the sale is mutual: everyone will benefit.

*Note: In a satire, you don’t come out and directly say what you are satirizing! You use the elements
that we know about satire.

Paragraph 20: Focuses on the advantages of his proposal:

1. It would get rid of the Papists (Roman Catholics)

2. Would give the opportunity for the poor to own something/pay off their debts
3. Money and profit will be from their own country---Note: Lots of blame is placed on the Irish
government and the affluent.
4. Won’t have to take care of their kids after the first year
5. This will be a new custom- a fine delicacy—charge what you wish.
6. More marriages- it will be an incentive for who can get the fattest baby to the market, and
husbands will be less likely to beat their wives.
7. Because we have food that has no particular season, we can export all the time and bring in
more money.

Paragraph 28: Swift takes a jab at London- They will consume the most meat. He blames England for
Ireland’s terrible economic condition.