Swift's Critique of British Policies in "A Modest Proposal"

The historical context of British colonization attempts in Ireland has left an enduring legacy of tyrannical oppression and prejudicial mistreatment. Jonathan Swift, an Irish clergyman residing in England, confronted these cruel policies in 1729 through his satirical work, "A Modest Proposal." This essay delves into Swift's strategic use of verisimilitude to expose the corruption of British foreign policy towards impoverished Ireland.

Audience Engagement and Logical Appeal

To capture the hearts and minds of his British audience, Swift masterfully played on their emotions while establishing a logical foundation.

Addressing prevalent societal issues deemed as "great additional grievances," such as homelessness, voluntary abortions, and youth thievery, he strategically appealed to the British public's empathy. By highlighting the plight of children and the poor conditions they endured, Swift set the stage for his later proposal. The focus on youth and the dire need for solutions drew the audience's attention, making them more receptive to his ideas.

Swift further supported his proposals by presenting them as not only solutions to societal problems but also as economically advantageous, stating that the children would contribute to both feeding and clothing thousands.

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This logical appeal would most likely have made his audience more likely to listen to his idea, as it thus would have seemed to be a convenient solution with no yet apparent drawbacks.

Dehumanization and Juxtaposition

Yet, within this seemingly logical framework, Swift began to dehumanize the impoverished, referring to women as "Dams" and "Breeders." This dehumanization unfolded alongside statistical information about the costs and numbers of impoverished children.

The use of animalistic terms subtly persuaded the British audience to view the Irish as less than human, aligning with the prevailing prejudices of the time. Swift's juxtaposition of raw statistics with dehumanizing language was a cunning technique to manipulate the audience's perception of the Irish.

He then progressed to address his actual proposal: that the homeless and impoverished children of Ireland would make a "most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome Food." He stated various manners of how to prepare the child, when the best time for preparation would be, and even that their skin would "make admirable Gloves and Summer Boots." The absolute horror of doing this to human children, which is murder, would then have most likely dawned on the audience. The fact that they now view them as humans would show the hypocrisy in their previous less-than-human views of the Irish people.

Revelation and Critique of British Policies

Swift then revealed his shocking proposal: the consumption of homeless Irish children. He described in gruesome detail the preparation methods, the ideal time for consumption, and even the potential uses of their skin. The horror of such a proposal forced the audience to confront the inhumanity of their views. By presenting the Irish as human, Swift exposed the hypocrisy of earlier dehumanizing language and made the British audience aware of their prejudiced perspectives.

Throughout the essay, Swift specifically addressed the lords and gentry, emphasizing the profitability of his proposal. This was a strategic appeal to the wealthy controlling power. However, he went on to claim that there should be "no other expedients," referring to the harsh policies imposed on Ireland. This juxtaposition aimed to make the British elite reconsider their mistreatment of Ireland by equating it with the exaggerated horror of consuming children. Swift provocatively suggested that what they were doing was, in essence, worse than eating their own offspring.

It is hardly likely that anyone would actually believe that someone would propose such dastardly actions as an honest proposal. By exaggerating the horrors of the ridiculous proposition of eating children, he makes it obvious that he doesn't truly believe the British should eat Irish children. He shows that what it means to be human is being destroyed by the practices of the British as it is, just as if they were consuming and murdering their children. By forcing the two things into a juxtaposed parallel, he shows that they are of the same horror and despicable nature.

Conclusion: Unmasking the Horrors

Swift's "A Modest Proposal" serves as a scathing critique of British policies in Ireland. Through verisimilitude, emotional engagement, and strategic juxtaposition, Swift unmasks the horrors of the prevailing prejudices and mistreatment. The essay challenges the British audience to reassess their views and policies, revealing the inhumanity embedded in their treatment of the Irish. Swift's satirical masterpiece stands as a powerful testament to the destructive impact of colonial policies on the oppressed.