Friday, February 3, 2012
Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” was an interesting read. The problem he identifies is that many poor children in Ireland are being a burden to their parents. He proposes selling children into a meat market at the age of one, combating the large population and underemployment. Now I don’t this is to be taken seriously and, if so, I believe Jonathan is quite a sick, twisted man. I think his purpose is to throw the problem out there and get people thinking. A lot of times when you throw a problem out there and suggest a solution, however ridiculous, it gets other people to try and come up with more logical solutions. Providing statistics helped others be sure they have a sure foundation when they go to find a solution to the evident problem of poverty in Ireland. Even though the man sounds like he’s lost his mind to me, I think the guy just might be a genius.
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I agree that if he does believe this is an actual solution he is a sick man. You then went into saying that he wasn't serious about his proposal. I thought it was good how you said he showed statistics.
ReplyDelete"I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich" (Swift). I agree with you if this wasn't a satire then any human to propose selling your offspring as food for money must be twisted. This being said after rereading it a few times i grasped the humor he was trying to give across. I agree with you that his purpose for this piece was to stir up the minds of the people in his society, and embark on them the drive to change things and better their lives. Also I think that from the sounds of it this was the only way to get their attention. How do you think the Catholic society of Ireland reacted to Swift's piece?
ReplyDeleteJonathan I agree with you that this was an interesting read, however I first time I read it I was not so sure. I think I have read the essay about four times. As you state the man just might be a genius, I agree totally. The shock value must have been enormous for the kingdom of England. To realize that one of the territories of England was in such shambles most likely caused great shame to the ruling factors of the kingdom. The statistics Swift presented and the ordered way he presented his proposal show that he had done his homework and was not just spouting rhetoric. It was a great and effective essay. You did a great job on this post Jonathan, I look forward to more interaction with your future posts.
ReplyDeleteYes, this was an interesting read. I also needed to reread a few times to make sure I had a correct understanding.
DeleteI truly believe that he was not serious about actually selling and eating children. I think he was trying to get attention and draw people in to make them open their eyes to the actual problem. He was greasing the gears to get the ball rolling, to motivate his society, and hopefully get solutions for the problems at hand.
Unfortunately, I do believe that some of the people that this could have helped the most probably did not understand the satire that Mr. Swift was using.