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Modest Proposal - Paper

Modest Proposal

In 1729, with “A ”, Jonathan Swift raised the argument that, “For preventing the children of poor people in Ireland from being a burden to their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the public” (44), we should rid ourselves of them by our own consumption. We should bake them, fry them, or serve them in a fricassee or ragout. Swift proposes his “humble” thoughts, for which he expects no objection, on the idea that it would be beneficial to the parents, the country, and even the children if they were to be eaten. He also states that anyone who objects should “ask the parents of these mortals whether they would not at this day ...

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it would greatly increase the sales at taverns where the cooks would strive to find the best recipes for their new delicacy. Finally it would be a great advantage to those getting married, where as they could sell their children for profit ( with the children’s best interest in mind, of course). Swift has a very logical approach to dealing with the poor and starving. If they were to be eaten it would get rid of the problem and also create new opportunities for others in the community. This argument is emotionally sound as well. Swift only wants the best for the children and his country. He has no ulterior motives to profit from his idea because he has no young children and his wife is past child bearing age.When first read, this work could be seen as an appalling display of selfishness and greed but when further analyzed it should be seen as just the opposite. Although Swift’s literal argument is that we should eat the poor children to rid ourselves of their ...

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Modest Proposal. (2008, September 15). Retrieved January 22, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Modest-Proposal/89937

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 9/15/2008 10:27:59 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 750
Pages: 3

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