These would include: the children would be more appreciated and they will be kept in good condition. Paying the mothers for their children would be advantageous to them for they would solve the food shortage.Īccording to Swift, the advantages of selling children for consumption would be many. This is because his solution is economic. His manipulation of data regarding the children to be consumed each year does not weaken his argument. Swift has grave reasons to suggest the selling of children to the rich. Swift does conduct some math to establish the number of miscarriages, deaths, and the number of children born in a year. Does Swift’s manipulation of weakening his argument? Why or why not? What are Swift’s proposed advantages? Swift speaks about sensitive subjects therefore, it is much safer to use satire rather than directly challenge the authority. All the same, his use of satire is well calculated because this way he can get the public’s attention.Ī Modest Proposal brings Swift across as a trustworthy author who can communicate important societal issues through the use of satire. Instead of writing serious pieces to espouse his beliefs, Swift chooses to use satire to communicate the deplorable conditions in Ireland. For this reason, Swift comes across as a credible but not an authoritative author.

They were not afraid of satirizing the influential people of the society and their work served as a moral voice. The authors who existed during the Augustan era wrote about society and its evils. Jonathan swift was an Augustan author and the Augustans were known for their belief in the power of reason. Does Swift come across to readers as a credible, authoritative author? Why or why not? Despite the satirical nature of A Modest Proposal, is Swift trustworthy as an author?

The proposal contains ethical and logical arguments that elicit the reader’s emotions especially on the suggestion that “whoever has a cheap solution to the dilemma in Ireland should have a statue put up in their own.” Concerning Swift’s description of the young lads and maidens, he focuses on the character and ethics of the society. The author’s appeal to reason is seen in the itemized list whereby Papists are plenty.

To emphasize emotions, Swift states that “these mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihoods, are forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to Barbados.” The pathos, ethos, and logos in this proposal show that the author does appeal to reason, character, and emotions.

A modest proposal dr jonathan swift