A Modest Proposal Paperback – November 20, 2020

I first heard about this satire in an English class when I was in 9th grade, and now I've finally had the chance to read it. I was not disappointed. First of all, it was beautifully written, well structured and well organized. Such things are to be expected of one of the greatest satires ever written.What I enjoyed most about this work however was the incredible amount of logic present. Swift presented his arguments neatly and concisely, and in an amoral world, his views may have been taken seriously. I also loved the little quips about the gentry and England within the essay, chastising their domination and ruthless usurpation of rights and property.This is a rather gruesome essay, but keep in mind the addition of children to the food supply was not Swift's intention; this essay was an attempt to call attention to the horrible condition of peasant life in Ireland at the time. Anyone who enjoys history will find this essay fascinating, if not entertaining.

Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish essayist and satirist whose work was produced in the early 18th Century. His most famous work is Gulliver's Travels (Dover Thrift Editions). As serendipity would have it, I was discussing the issue of immigration, in its many forms, with an Anglo-Irish friend. I offered a satirical as well as an extreme solution – with a straight face – but he was not taken in, and said: “Oh, you mean like selling poor children to the rich, so they can eat them.” In this “instant” age, we shared that commonality of having read Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” written in 1729. I had read it in high school, and decided that a re-read was essential.Way back then, Ireland had a population of only a million and a half. Swift calculates that there were “200,000 breeders,” and suggested that males be able to “serve” four females, a particular ratio that has a familiar ring. The people are often referred to in the same manner as animals, in terms of breeding, upbringing, and ultimate disposition. Swift frequently uses the term “Papists,” a term no longer in vogue, and indicates that his “modest proposal” would lower their numbers, a goal that he posits as worthwhile and essential.It was good political satire in 1729. It ended so abruptly, and open-endedly that I had to independent check to determine if this Kindle version did not omit the ending – as was done in regards to a Shakespearean play I had read. But no, this version is complete. As for the satire, with our current crop of political leadership, it would be increasingly difficult to differentiate a satirical quip from an (dis)honestly held policy statement. As for Swift’s proposal, I modestly provide 4-stars.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!A Modest Proposal is a Juvenalian satirical essay written and published anonymously by Jonathan Swift in 1729. Swift suggests that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling their children as food for the rich.This satirical hyperbole mocks heartless attitudes towards the poor, as well as Irish policy in general in that time.Swift goes through great lengths to support his argument, even so far as suggesting various preparations and financial calculations for proper pricing of said "food".To understand this book, you must understand the economic situation of the Swift's times. It was the start of a new industrial age of the 18th century and it was believed or the motto was "people are the riches of the nation". The general faith in the ecomony was that if workers were made higher wages, they wouldn't work as hard, thus they worked hard for little to no money. Furthermore, in the mercantilist view "no person was TOO young to be in the industry" Humane attitudes of the workers were basically disregarded and workers were viewed as nothing more than a commodity. Swifts essay is a hard, satarical jab at the state of the ecomony and the great divide between the rich and poor.Most people were probably "forced" to read this in high school, but probably skimmed threw enough to pass the pop quiz you English teach no undoubtedly gave out. As an adult, I highly recommend revisiting this great piece of literature and it's almost scary and almost uncanny way of pointing a satirical finger at the plight we face today.

This essay is one if the best examples of political & socioeconomic satire ever published. Jonathan Swift comes up with an amazingly sarcastic plan to save a country in dire need: Lets eat the babies!Mr. Swift's ability to successfully write out an proposal oozing of extremism & sarcasm is a thing of true beauty. He proves, in a terribly sick way, that those folks centuries ago had a much more twisted sense of humor than previously believed.

Even realizing that this is pure satire based on difficult times in early Dublin it is still a little too dark for me.

...whether stewed, roasted, baked or boiled." Never in my life would I have guessed that the same author of the classic "Gulliver's Travels" could come up with this outright horror tale. Obviously it's meant as satire, but talk about raising the hairs on the back of my neck! How about this passage for sheer terror "A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good on the fourth day." Had to save the second half of the book for dessert as my hunger for horror is quite quenched for now, but definitely a most satisfying book that will yet linger on my palate well after the oh so brief taste!

It's a short read. Good satire. Relevant even in modern society. Don't get caught up in the text, it's symbolism.