English 3336 Restoration and Eighteenth Century Poetry and Prose
responses to A Modest Proposal
A MODEST PROPOSAL
FOR PREVENTING THE CHILDREN OF POOR PEOPLE IN IRELAND FROM BEING
A BURDEN TO THEIR PARENTS OR COUNTRY, AND FOR MAKING THEM BENEFICIAL TO
THE PUBLIC
From this really short introduction I am given the impression
that this will be a piece of writing to give perspective on the economic
situation of the lower class. I can already expect that his writing will
be full of satire because he already is criticizing people's stupid and
wrong treatment or understandings of poor families. Surely children are
not a "burden" to their parents, but through satire, I understand that
Swift is pointing out how we constantly try to make things more beneficial
(economically) to society and to ourselves.
The expectations this is setting up for the reader is, the
children are considered a burden to poor families and whatever the children
are to be used for is beneficial to the public. This line makes what they
use the children for seem fine and a good cause. It's a sin to say any
child is a burden. A reader may be led to feel this is wrong from the very
beginning due to the mention of a child being a "burden" to their parents
or country. The person whose voice we're reading expects us to already
believe in children can be a burden and that they should be put to good
use for a good cause. They assume we believe eating children is ok. Swift's
choice of words in this one sentence sets up "A Modest Proposal" very well.
It sums up what the story is from the very beginning. The way this can
be expected to evoke a response in the reader is by causing the reader
to assume it is a positive thing they do with the children.
Since this has been explained more than once that it is a
satire, I enjoy the strong words used to describe the children of the poor.
"Burden" especially since the connotation of the word is strongly negative,
they are essentially holding back their parents and their country. Of course
for it to be a good satire, people would have to be offended by such choices
of words and sentences, I feel like Swift was probably pretty efficient
at angering people with his work. The title too is also quite funny since
he is "modestly" proposing that basically, they eat kids. Saying such a
proposal is modest is an understatement to say the least.
What is interesting about the title is Swift's choice of
the word "Burden" when talking about children. Children are not usually
referred to as a burden within the family structure. it is also interesting
how Swift is not talking about all children, just "the children of poor
people."
Instead of looking at children as a blessing, the reader
is being set up to believe that poor children are a burden (or in the way).
The reader is probably surprised by the suggestion that children are a
burden to the country. Children are the future so it does not sound
appealing.
This implies that children are not already beneficial. This
may actually be true and it may not have been that shocking at the time
but in a society where we treat each child from birth as a unique, important,
bright-shining star, this is quite startling to read.
I've never read this work by Swift. But to me, this
phrase initially indicates that Swift is economically concerned.
It seems to imply child labour, and a "dehumanization" of the working class
to best serve the country. This somewhat reminds me of young Oliver
Twist, and the hardships he must endure. Life seems very difficult
for an 18th century working class child. But knowing Swift, and his
wit, I predict that he will use overly ridiculous/silly examples used as
satire on class division in 18th century Ireland. The "Modest Proposal"
likely refers to an exaggerated method (that Swift wouldn't really employ)
on how to manage working class children in a way that serves Ireland best,
economically. I'm sure that he will be commenting on the Irish government,
and shedding perspective on the injustices of what the government would
ideally want. I get the feeling Swift wouldn't actively support labour
injustices.
Are we supposed to comment already? Well, you can already
get a hint of irony in the title, since he refers to the children as a
"burden" to their parents, and also suggests that he has an idea on how
to make them "beneficial to the public." The way that he talks sort of
sounds like he is making a business proposal. And unless he was just a
blatant ass that really was out to objectify anyone living in poverty,
which at the time was a large percentage of the population, then it is
sort of clear that he is up to something.
The title seems to imply that Swift has come up with a solution
to the hunger problem in Ireland. It piques the reader's interest to read
further to see what kinds of things Swift is going to suggest for helping
the crisis. The wording is negative, as he implies that the children are
a burden to their parents, so his solution might be putting them to work
or having them involved in some mean or cruel way.
It didn't occur to me before, but the the use of the words
"making" and "beneficial" (in reference to the children), gives the reader
a particularly strong impression that children, whom are commonly considered
as sacred in the sense that they ought not to be made to work-- should
without a doub serve a purpose which resembles that of adults trying to
"be productive" or "useful" members of society...
Swift sets this up with the expectation that the reader is
aware of the problem facing Ireland at the time. It is also implied
that poor folks are a problem, casting a negative on the group as a whole
(for someone who is unaware of the works satirical nature)