Swift uses emotive language to remind the reader of the difficulty the peasants have to face. An example of this is ‘are forced to employ all their time in Stroling, to beg’. Here, Swift makes us feel sorry for the peasants, and begin to understand how hard their lives are. In addition, this draws the reader into the article as he becomes interested in what the narrator is going to say next. Another example of this is when he says, “Sustenance for their helpless Infants, who as they grow up, either turn Thieves for want of work,” This also gives the reader a sense of pity towards the peasants, and begins to question the attitudes of the rich to the poor. In addition, this could relate back to the narrator, because the rich were annoyed at how these peasants had ruined the view of their towns. The use of ‘helpless Infants’ makes it seem even more poignant and sad. We see some of Swift come through and hints at the fact that the Protestants who have made them peasants are the ones to blame for them turning to crime. Another example of emotive language is when it says, “nor offer to Beat or Kick them (as it is too frequent a practise).” Here he not only criticises the unlawful actions of the Protestants towards the Catholics, but also, by using horrible images he shows us and criticises the relationships in a marriage. He also criticises the attitudes of men towards women by saying how the men would only respect the women now that they carried babies that eventually would be sold and bring them profits. The satirical technique works because the narrator talks about the peasants as if they were garbage, but at the same time, tells us that they are in a very bad condition, this makes the reader feel guilty for what they have done.
Another technique that Swift uses is the use of inappropriate comparisons between people and animals. An example of this is “whereof only one fourth part to be Males, which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle or swine.” Swift uses this to show the reader how Catholics are treated as second-class citizens, and questions the reader’s perception of society as a high, middle and low class one. Another example of this is when he says, “A child will make two Dishes at an Entertainment for Friends, and when the Family dines alone the fore of hind quarter will make a reasonable dish.” Here Swift relates the children to a good meal, which again makes the reader think about what the Protestants, are doing and how immoral and cruel it is. He uses the words like ‘fore’ and ‘hind’ as if he were talking about an animal. These terms makes him seem as if it was a normal thing to do, as it is to eat lamb or pork. This technique works because it makes the reader think that what they are doing to them is not far off from what the narrator is suggesting, and makes them realise how horrible they are.
Swift also incorporates the use of gruesome details delivered in a pleasant voice, an example of this is, “the skin of which, Artificially dressed, will make admirable Gloves for Ladies”. This challenges the reader’s beliefs between right and wrong, and makes him think of how horrible and cruel they are to the Catholics. It does this because the idea of making anything with parts of a human is horrible, and to make something associated with the rich, ‘Gloves for Ladies’ makes it even more horrible that they don’t want to relate to the narrator, who is someone like them. We also see this when he says, “particularly Weddings and Christenings.” Here, the narrator suggests eating babies at Christenings, which is sickening and goes against any human feelings. He uses this to makes the reader aware that this problem is getting out of hand, and makes the reader realise that is something should be done soon or the problem will escalate to something as sickening as eating babies. This technique desensitises and spoils the reader’s expectations, and the fact that they are shocked makes them question the fact that they have associated with the narrator in the first place.
Another technique Swift uses is entirely unacceptable suggestions made as if acceptable. An example of this is, “A Child well Nursed is at a year Old a most delicious, nourishing and wholesome Food.” This unexpected exaggeration of detail stuns the reader and makes him think how sick and twisted the narrator is. He then realises that the narrator is Protestant, and how Swift is mocking them and therefore becomes aware of how badly the Catholics are being treated. Another example of this is when he says, “I rather recommend buying the Children alive, and dressing them hot from the Knife, as we do roasting.” This technique changes the perceptions of the reader because it gives them a twisted image of something that would normally sound appetizing (when roasting a meat), and who up to this point has identified with the narrator, and encourages the reader to think of alternatives to solve the problem, that are moral and justified.
Swift also includes some truth, to show how the Catholics are living and being treated. An example of this is when he says, “they are every Day dying, and rotting, by cold, and famine, and filth, and vermin.” This use of truth creates feelings for the Catholics and makes the reader understand their position. These subtle digs at the affluent Protestants tell the reader they are to blame, this is shown when he says, “for Landlords, who as they have already devoured most of the Parents.” This shows the mistreatment of the Catholics because they make them seem like murderers, something a high-class person would hate, and makes the reader realise of this and object to the idea.
‘A Modest Proposal’ has been written with two levels of meaning. The first is that Swift adopts a persuading false act, which is shown through the narrator, but reveals true anger and disgust at the indifferent attitude of landowners the rich and religious Protestants and the intolerance of his time. Swift’s use of satirical techniques shows us what was happening at his time through a very different approach. He uses this approach to surprise and mock the readers, which is much more effective, because it makes the readers realise by comparing their ideas to horrible ones that they are in the wrong. This also makes the reader listen and realise better than just a pamphlet saying how bad the Protestants are. The use of satire helps people understand better, through a more enjoyable way and addresses the problem in a more empathetic way.