A Swift Analysis

Stefen Winfield

4/4/12

Period E

Swift Analysis

            A proposal is an idea that is to be considered and possibly accepted by others. Depending on the validity of the proposal it will or will not be taken into account. Ireland in the 1700’s was plagued by famine and poverty. A well-known writer decided it was his turn to contribute by creating a proposal to cure his country of poverty and starvation. In this tale of absurd theories in A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift utilizes subtle black comedy, constructive absurdity, and biting sarcasm to resolve the problems of overpopulation. 

Black comedy is the juxtaposition of morbid and farcical elements (in writing or drama) to give a disturbing effect. Swift’s proposal is full of black humor. He uses things that would be considered grotesque to convey humor. He assures that, “Infant’s flesh will be in season throughout the year.” The consumption of infant’s is very dark, but Swift uses word play and a creative vocabulary to make these dark statements seem reasonable. Just the fact that he talks about eating babies makes the essay very dark and morbid. Throwing morals to the wind Swift request that, “We should soon see an honest emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest child to the market.” It is obvious that no women would bring her own child to market. It also sounds dark because he is talking about women giving away their own children so others can eat them. Clearly Swift has a complete disregard for morality showing black comedy in many instances. He views are very frank and to the point, even if the point seems completely backwards too many.

Absurdity describes pieces of literature that are ridiculously incongruous or unreasonable. This entire piece is based off this definition of absurdity. Swift uses absurdity to the extreme to create a comic effect. He says, “The constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children.” This is a very absurd statement because he is suggesting that the children that are being sold are only worth eight shillings. He also is valuing wealth over human life. With no regard for morals Swift declares that, “A good fat child…will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with.” Swift tries to convince his reader by included tidbits of nutritional information and seemingly logical explanations. 

  Sarcasm characterizes everything this piece stands for. When Swift wrote this he wanted to poke fun at the problems taking place in Ireland. He insists 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.” Swift is being extremely sarcastic because he and everyone else know that children are needed to sustain human life and without children there is no future. But he implies that people like himself that find a way to make use of or get rid of children should be glorified. Sarcastically Swift sincerely vows that, “in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country,” he is doing this for the good of the people. The tone this piece is written in suggest are serious reaction, but with Swifts biting use of sarcasm this work is much more of a comedy. 

Though eating babies may seem like a strong nutritional decision, it is utterly immoral and illegal. So, for as long as people have been walking the Earth eating babies has never been an option to avoid poverty or starvation. But in Swifts “Modest Proposal” he addresses all negative aspects of his idea. He leaves any out the chance of any doubt. The only problem is the entire proposal is just a farce. Perfectly utilizing subtle black comedy, constructive absurdity, and biting sarcasm Swift resolves problems of poverty, overpopulation, and famine. Sometimes conventional wisdom must be thrown to the wind when reading literature with such a high level of sarcasm and satire. Though many may view this piece as dark and morbid it is meant to convey humor and bring light to a subpar situation.