I’m not sure what I was expecting but I know it was not this at all. At first I thought Swift was talking about repurposing the poor, like putting them to work, but the more I read the more I realised that was not the case. If you remove the moral aspect, his idea is reasonable. (If that term can even be used) I know this writing is a satirical critique towards the (insensitive) wealthy upper class, but his proposal would solve a lot of issues. It would provide financial relief to the poor and their children would not need to suffer famine and disease. If you’re looking from an objective point of view and you have no regards for human life, uneducated and sick children do not contribute to society, instead they drain resources and food. Less “useless mouths” to feed, as Swift puts it as in his proposal, meaning more food and money for useful and capable people in society. Of course this proposal is wrong in every moral way and I hope that society never becomes desperate enough to resort to this.
A Modest Proposal is a satirical stance on the cruelty of the wealthy and state of poverty during 18th century Ireland. Where the starving poor are not considered an issue for the wealthy. They’re seen as animals and property, exploited for profit. Hence why Swift suggests selling babies like how they do with animals. Nevertheless his proposal writes a perfect critique that is still accurate today. In every era no matter where you are, enough and power makes you lose your sense of humanity. It makes you incapable of sympathising with those beneath you.
I wish there was a better solution to this issue but there will always be selfish and corrupt people in this world. Perhaps my thoughts are too simple minded but as long as famine and poverty does not affect them, they do not care.
(Note: I always write with the word “you” it’s not targeted to anyone, it just makes me feel like I’m talking to the subject of the text, in this case the rich)