An Analysis of Swift's "A Modest Proposal"

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Faizal Patel        Page         5/2/2007

An Analysis of Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”

Swift, in his modest proposal, has parodied a rational economic proposal of the type commonly submitted to the British government. However in doing so he has put forth ideas for economic savings and gain, suspending any sense of seemingly basic moral attitudes. It is a political satire full of irony, dealing with the problem of homelessness in Ireland.

Swift has organised his proposal clearly and objectively. To begin with, he has described the social problem and expressed the necessity for a solution. He has then expressed his determination to resolve this critical situation, emphasizing his hope for public approval. He has then put forward his proposal and explained the plan and the benefits of it. Any possible arguments have been invalidated and the main benefits have been summarised. Finally he has expressed his sincere intentions for promoting this proposal.

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The persona Swift has adopted is that who is malicious, savage and inhumane. He is a fiercely left-wing economist who is fascist to the extent that one could compare him to a Nazi. Although he tries to give an objective, sensible tone, he reveals his intolerance to the homeless on numerous occasions. He refers to the birth of children of the homeless, as being “dropped from its dam”. This phrase is more commonly used for animals, rather than humans, so by using this phrase, Swift’s persona is comparing the homeless to animals and thinks of them at the same ...

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