Introduction
Jonathan Swift’s satire in ‘A Modest Proposal’ criticizes the British government’s lack of action in addressing poverty in Ireland. Swift uses techniques such as irony, exaggeration, and sarcasm to make his point.
Whom or What is Swift Criticizing?
Swift is criticizing the British government for their oppression and neglect of the Irish people. He uses the persona of a rational economist proposing to solve the poverty issue by selling Irish babies as food to the rich.
Techniques Used by Swift
- Irony: Swift uses irony to highlight the absurdity of the situation. For example, he suggests that selling babies as food will benefit both the poor and the rich.
- Exaggeration: Swift exaggerates the severity of the poverty problem to emphasize the government’s failure to address it. He proposes a radical and outrageous solution to shock his audience.
- Sarcasm: Through sarcasm, Swift mocks the British government’s indifference towards the suffering of the Irish people. He presents his proposal in a deadpan manner, making it even more disturbing.
Response
In ‘A Modest Proposal,’ Swift criticizes the British government’s inaction towards poverty in Ireland. By proposing something so horrific and unrealistic, he aims to shock the audience into recognizing the severity of the issue. For example, when he suggests that eating babies will reduce the number of Catholics in Ireland, it exposes the callousness of the government’s policies.
