The full name of Jonathan Swift’s pamphlet is A Modest Proposal For preventing the Children of Poor People From being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and For making them Beneficial to the Publick. This work is a Juvenalian satire which is a type of satirical writing that uses extreme hyperbole to mock or criticize some aspect of human behaviour, society, or government. A Modest Proposal mocks heartless attitudes towards the poor, as well as British policy towards the Irish in general.
The title is itself ironic because Swift’s proposal is not at all modest but is disgusting and absurd.
The essay starts by lamenting the sad fate of the children of the poverty-stricken Irish who live in squalor because their parents are too poor to keep them fed and clothed. Swift argues that the problem of too many children could be turned into a boon if the children of the poor were fattened up and sold into a meat market at the age of one year old.
He uses hard-edged economic reasoning to support his proposal and lists six advantages to selling Irish babies as food, namely, reducing the number of Catholics, allowing the poor to pay rent, improving the menus at eating establishments, relieving poor parents of the financial burden of raising children, improving marriage and family life for the Irish by making the children assets of value and the mothers’ contributors to the financial wealth of the family, and enriching the Irish nation.
Swift goes on to cite statistics in support of his argument in the form of specific data about the number of children to be sold, their weight and price, and the projected consumption patterns of the purchasers. He also suggests recipes for the preparation and cooking of the children.
His essay concludes that his proposal would solve Ireland’s complex social, political, and economic problems.
The purpose of A Modest Proposal is to comment on England’s legal and economic exploitation of Ireland. While the essay sometimes argues that the Irish themselves are partially to blame for their country’s problems, his main viewpoint is that the English were responsible for destroying Ireland’s economy and culture.
A Modest Proposal is a shocking but excellent piece of writing that highlights political and social injustices by using logical extremes to make a ridiculous argument for solving the problem of poverty in Ireland in 1729 when the piece was published. A Modest Proposal is still relevant because extreme poverty still plagues many countries in the world.
Quotes from A Modest Proposal
“I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.”
“I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar’s child … to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat.
Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flay the carcass; the skin of which artificially dressed will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.”
“whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the public, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation.”
Purchase A Modern Proposal by Jonathan Swift
Amazon US (also available as an audio book)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1080/1080-h/1080-h.htm (available for free download
roberta-writes.com 
OH boy! I remember this lecture from my British Literature class. I think I cried when I read A Modest Proposal. The sad part was, the poverty in Ireland was every bit as real as Swift made it out to be. 😦
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi Colleen, that is right, the poverty was horrific. I remember hearing about this book and the proposal to eat the children when I was 12 years old. I never, ever forgot it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know he was trying to shed light on the plight of the poor. But it was so sad to read.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember this lecture from British Lit class as well.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Liz, it’s an essay that you never forget, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 2 people
No, I didn’t. A chapter from Jessica Mitford’s “The American Way of Death” and George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language” are two other works of social history I’ll never forget.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t know the first one. Thanks for the recommendation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Robbie. Jessica Mitford’s expose on the US funeral industry in the early 1960s has been widely anthologized. It’s not for the faint of heart. I was shocked by it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It sounds like a must read.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A good fictional accompaniment would be The Loved One by evelyn waugh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Liz, I managed to get the Evelyn Waugh book but Amazon doesn’t have the unabridged Jessica Mitford book. I’ll have to see if I can find it somewhere else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Internet Archive has a digital copy you can borrow. https://archive.org/details/americanwayofdea00jess_0
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant, thanks. I was going to search Project Gutenburg. I find lots of books there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those were the two hardest classes I ever took, Liz. I kept my books… they’re huge!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I still have my books from those two classes, lovingly preserved in amber (so to speak). My hardest class was US Government, not because the material was difficult but because I was bored to tears, and I hated multiple guess tests.
LikeLiked by 3 people
LOL! I know, me too! I didn’t mind American government because I had a great instructor. For me it was Algebra… although, I did finally make it through the class. LOL!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I did ok in Algebra, although I’m sure it took me three times longer to do my assignments than it did anyone else.
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL! I know how that was. 🤣
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellent post, Robbie! “A Modest Proposal” is definitely one of the more abrasive, sickening of satires, but Swift certainly made his point in a way that has endured for centuries.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Dave, he most certainly did make his point and, sadly, it is still relevant. Thanks for adding your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard of this Jonathan Swift book, never read, and will probably skip it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Jacqui, it is not everyone’s cup of tea but I found it fascinating.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I must say, this is the first I have heard of this. My brain cells are flickering with thoughts as a result.
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Annette, it is definitely a most thought provoking and sad essay. It is awful that it is still relevant in many countries and areas of this world.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I read this about a million years ago. I must have been in my teens. It made me laugh in a dark kind of way.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Marilyn, yes, it is very dark. I also came across it at a young age, I was just 12. I never, ever forgot it. It was an essay that changed my life, just like I am David and The Diary of Anne Frank. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
‘four dishes of excellent nutritive meat . . .’ who could pass that up? Book me in, Robbie.
A wonderful book to review in the present day. Bravo.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Frank. I knew you would appreciate this essay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Weird and wonderful, Robbie. Right up my alley!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think of Swift’s proposal every time I hear the conservatives in my country complain about welfare programs and then in the same breath rob poor women of the right to control their bodies.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Jan, the attitude of the conservatives in the USA towards abortion is a complete mystery to me. I don’t like the idea at all, but it is a necessity in this world of poverty, ignorance, and overpopulation. Thanks for visiting. PS, Charles Dickens made some interesting points about the attitude of the wealthy Victorians to welfare and poverty in A Christmas Carol which I also read this holiday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This book sounds about as dark as black humour can be. I’m a fan of dark humour. It is quite effective in challenging many a person’s thoughts.
I didn’t know about this book, but I am glad I do now. My heritage is part Irish, and I know my father’s side of the family came over to Canada in the mid/late 1800’s because they were impoverished and hungry.
It seems the Irish never caught a break.
I might not read the book, as I am already a full of empathy for the world’s poor.
I am SO lucky!
Although very different, this has made me think about the movie “Soylent Green” Based on, Make Room! Make Room! 1966 novel by Harry Harrison.
The evolution of man is fascinating, wonderful and sickening all at the same time.
Great post, Roberta!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Resa, I am glad I could introduce this essay to you. It is quite short and tightly written, but a ‘hard’ read. My dad is of Irish descent too. I do know the movie Soylent Green and the idea of eating human flesh is similar but the concept behind it is very different. I agree that mankind is a strange and mysterious species. Our biggest issue is that it is the people who have our worst characteristics of power hungriness, greed, and selfishness that always look for leadership and power and that is a bad thing for society. Anyhow, a new year so onwards and upwards. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Food for thought. (pardon the pun!)
Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The diversity of your reading (and the titles you tackle) continues to amaze me, Robbie. I don’t think I could read this!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Mae, I have always wanted to revisit this essay and I finally got around to it. I am pleased it did, it was completely fascinating and I understood a lot more of the underlying message now than when I read it as a youngster. It would not be for everyone, it is a ‘hard’ read.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You read some interesting literature, Robbie. This sounds rather sad in a sardonic sort of way- great review.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Jacquie, I have never forgotten the description of how the children should be served – baked or boiled, etc. I read it when I was 12 and never forgot it. I wanted to revisit it so I did. It was even more fascinating than I remembered and, sadly, still relevant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember this from high school English. We are still blaming the poor for their poverty, and have done little to make things better. (K)
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is easier to blame the poor for their situation than to have to spend money and time helping them change it, isn’t it? People like you and I do our best though, Kerfe, and everything makes a difference.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, even little things can make a difference.
LikeLiked by 2 people
If only they understood that children were the future, and not ‘cattle’.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is sad that so many children still grow up in abject poverty with everything against them from the start.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, very sad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jonathan Swift dealt swiftly with the status quo. His call to action via satire still resonates today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Rebecca, this is a most powerful and relevant piece of writing. It is awful that it still resonates today, but entirely true.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Alas, it is true!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I read of a football player who will receive $425 million for a two-and-a-half-year contract. I have no idea how much that man donates to charity but I bet if it was $400 million he would, one: remain a very rich person from previous signing-on fees etc, etc and, two: the rest of the world would know about it. There is poverty in every country on every continent. It remains a testament to how self-centred some people are and how ready to turn away from reality others are.
This is a wonderful post of yours, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Danny. Your words here are exactly what I think too 💗
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve never come across this before, and oh my! What wonderful, dark satire. Thanks for sharing, Robbie 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Harmony, it is a most interesting work. I’m glad I could introduce you to it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had to read this in high school. I remember my dad borrowed my text book and read it too, and then we had a nice discussion about it. Good review, Robbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Priscilla. That is a great memory with your dad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The problem would be in the U. S. if this were published now, would be that some people would take it as a serious suggestion for immigrants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a dreadful thought, Bernadette.
LikeLike
This sounds like such an interesting book, Robbie. A wonderful use of hyperbole and sarcasm to get a point across. Life is exactly like this in the US right now, half of the country coming up with the cruelest and most heartless ideas possible. I have to agree with Bernadette that they’d take Swift’s suggestions seriously.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Diana, I am astonished to hear that. It is quite frightening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think they’d really eat babies, but they don’t have any problem letting them fail in every way possible. It’s worse than barbaric considering how wealthy this country is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I understand what you mean. I recall that children of refugees were being separated from their parents at one point. So cruel and dreadful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Infants, Robbie. It was horrifying. And in some cases the parents were deported and the children given away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had not heard of this pamphlet/book before and it sounds frightening, even though it is sarcasm. Unfortunately, too many of our children and youth in North America are living in terrible and poor conditions. Not my cup of tea, but it sounds like an important read. Not much has changed and I agree with Diana.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Carla. This book is certainly not for everyone but I found it dreadfully fascinating. It is so sad that it is still relevant especially in a wealthy society like North America.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found an ecopy at my library, so I am going to give it a go. I am trying to read more short stories this year, so this will be my first for 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to your thoughts on it, Carla.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Swift could do sarcastic incredibly well, and he knew how to win experts using their own tools and arguments, although yes, it is horrifying to think that we haven’t come as far off as we’d like to think. Thanks for the recommendation, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Olga, I am of the view that the enduring authors like Swift and Dickens have endured because they were such geniuses. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
LikeLike
Hi Robbie, Thank you for an excellent post on a powerful piece of writing, one I have taught several times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Charles, my grade 4 teacher read an extract from this book to the class and I never forgot it. I read it then (I was ten and didn’t fully understand it, but got the point). I found it equally compelling and horrifying when I re-read it recently. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
LikeLike