A Modest Proposal
Let’s eat babies!
o Written in 1729 by Jonathan Swift
o Page 2462 in Norton Volume C
o THEME: The Nation
o Britain versus England
o England is the predominant ruling force of Great Britain
• Ireland, Scotland and Wales try to define their own cultures
o Elaboration of “The English are devouring the Irish”
o English landlords were taking over Ireland
o English did not care for the Irish people, only their land
• Ignored, the Irish population was dwindling because they were no longer in control of their land and the English were not taking care of them
o Satire
o Deadpan
o Mocks the persistent famine in Ireland and England’s inability and unwillingness to confront it
o The irony of the essay relies on the relationship to its outside context, ie. the famine
o Proposing the unacceptable (cannibalism) makes one think about the situation that brought about the unacceptable
o Parody of similar “proposals” made at this time
o Style and tone convincing
“I have no children by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past childbearing.” Page 2468 in Norton Volume C
Lecture on The Nation in early texts: 2.19.08
Lecture on Modest Proposal: 2.21.08
2 comments:
Jesica Kellogg Discussion 1H
At first glance, one could just dismiss Johnathan Swift as a man with way too much time on his hands. His vivid imagination takes him very far in literature and social propoganda.
I cannot imagne what it would be like for one of today's leading literary figures to publish a document like "A Modest Proposal," which would probably be posted on the internet in a blog.
When you examine how Swift's Ireland is being exploited and ruined by Britain, you must empathize with Swift because just about every nation has felt Britain's economic wrath as well as their daughter, America's.
Actions of the Irish dictate how difficult it is for them to live from day to day. Prostitution, becoming indetured servants, enlisting in the military and begging are routes that are taken to escape the harsh social and economic climate of Ireland.
Of course the natural course of life for the poor does not concede to the imposition of the wealthy. Child bearing does not decline, it continues on a steady rate, the necessity of eating is prevalent, having to tend to whatever there is left to farm and feeding livestock must be done moreso for monetary purposes rather than personal enjoyment.
I would make the suggestion eating babies as well. It makes perfect sense!
Great post, Kelley - thanks! - Waldo
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