Swiftly in to the Bizarre History of Ireland
“Swift himself wrote that "the chief end I propose to my self in all my labors is to vex the world rather then divert it” (qtd. in Phiddian). Johnathan Swift was born in 1167, Dublin Ireland, to English parents. His father died before he was born and his mother left him in the care of his uncle in Ireland. He was well educated, and became a Priest in the Church of England. Swift moved between England and Ireland until he was named Dean of St. Patrick Cathedral. He spent his remaining days living in Ireland. His the start of his relationship with the county of Ireland was tumultuous at best, and “yet, he was to become an Irish national hero. For the rest of his life, he wrote passionately against the British government's treatment of Ireland” (Puchner al et. 266).
Swift wrote “A Modest Proposal” in 1729, when Ireland was in great turmoil. Struck by over population, corrupt aristocracy, and malicious external rule by England, Ireland was in a crisis
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Many Catholic Irish also went to fight for the deposed Catholic king, James Edward II, believing that he had the only legitimate claim to the English throne. (Puchner et. Al. 315n3). This decent from patriotism was caused by forced “religious conformity in the form of the penal laws and test acts designed to prevent Catholic or Dissenter land ownership. Service in government or education, and the practice of religion” (Moore 689). Swift professes to “ propose to provide for them in such a Manner, as, instead of being a Charge upon their Parents, or the Parish, or wanting Food and Raiment for the rest of their Lives; they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the Feeding, and partly to the Cloathing, of many Thousands” (Swift 315). Swift attempts to show the common Irish people that if they can make a commodity for themselves then the can praise themselves out of