Tentative Thesis: A Modest Proposal

Charles Jervas [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift is a satirical work which sought to draw attention to various, pressing socio-economic issues that plagued 18th century Ireland. The problems Swift directly addressed in his proposal were the overpopulation of his homeland, and the widespread poverty that accompanied this surplus of citizens. In answer to these dilemmas, Swift proposes that at the age of one, the children of the impoverished "be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune" (Swift Loc 43). By selling  the children (who indubitably would later have become thieves and beggars), the populations would be greatly diminished, and the economy would be boosted by creating a new market within Ireland itself and providing the poor mothers with a source of income. Throughout this work, Swift criticizes almost everyone; exposing the unjust rule of the English Monarchy, jabbing at the landlords' mistreatment of the common people, and even the lack of exasperation, action, and values of the very people of Ireland.  The underlying purpose of this proposal was to show the wealthy and poor alike their true colors and shock his audience, spurring them into thought and even action.  This proposal is successful because it manages to highlight the injustices of the landlords and the insufficiency of the downtrodden people; shining an unflattering, yet honest light on all the parties' roles in the wrecking of Ireland. 

Here is a link to a brief history of Ireland by the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/ashorthistory/archive/intro126.shtml