A Modest Proposal

Once again, Jonathan Swift is my favorite restoration writer thus far. "A Modest Proposal" is so real. Swift does an excellent job at making his works seem like the real deal and in fact his suggestions seem absolutely absurd. What is even more absurd is the way the Irish were being treated by the English and that is the point Swift is trying to make. They really had no other options in making money but to sell their children to help in feeding the rest of the family. He makes a pretty convincing argument as to why this plan makes so much sense, when in reality it is as far from sensible as any could be. Swift not only makes an excellent satirical argument (very common in eighteenth century works) but he also comes up with some real suggestions. He asks the land lords, as well as everyone else, to show some mercy - these people really could not pay their rent. He tells the Irish to stay in Ireland and support the economy in Ireland by avoiding buying foreign goods. These are not his only suggestions, but symbolize an even better idea than eating babies and selling them for boots and hand gloves. Swift fits so well into the eighteenth century literature with his masterful satirical works, Kudos to Swift!