In “A Modest Proposal” Jonathan Swift suggests a unique solution to the problem concerning poor children in Ireland. He suggests using the lands people like cattle, breeding them to eat their babies. He draws the readers in with kind words and a gentle tone, just to drop a crazy bomb on them. This essay will explain what Jonathan Swift was trying to accomplish, the techniques and methods he used, and whether or not he was successful in his mission. In “A Modest Proposal” Jonathan Swift was trying to accomplish a few things. He was trying to shame the people in power, the British landlords, the Irish government, Catholics, and the merchants.
He did this because he wanted them to face the fact that they were the ones responsible for not helping the poor change their situation. “I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom. ” (5) Jonathan Swift was trying to force all people to take action to help Ireland. He knew that by writing this proposal that it would be sent out to the townspeople as well as the government officials and it scare them into action.
The townspeople would be scared for their infant’s lives that they would do more to help out their situations. The government officials would hopefully get angry enough that they would be forced to do something to help the poor townspeople. Jonathan Swift also did all of this to help shed light on the situation in Ireland. The methods and techniques Jonathan Swift used to communicate his ideas are controlled fury (from the intro all the way through to the conclusion), he manipulates the readers, and absurd ideas and language.
You can feel the subtle hints of his controlled fury throughout the intro, body and then he cuts completely loose at the end. Jonathan Swift manipulates the reader by drawing them in with a kind tone and the drops he absurd idea on them. Swift was not really successful in his mission with his proposal. Ireland still went on to suffer for many years; although he was successful in his overall attempt in scaring, shocking, and humiliating people.
