Not so modest after all The Enlightenment period brought such high levels of thinking to the table, such as logic, reason and critical thinking. Questioning authority especially political and religious aspects of authority. Alongside that the church lost authority, a consequence from science and industry growing. One individual that portrayed the era the way it is viewed today is Jonathan Swift. A Modest Proposal was one of Swift’s greatest works. It demonstrates the key elements shown throughout the Enlightenment period. Swift does not down play the fact that his people are suffering in Ireland. Through pointing his figure at the cause of destruction among his fellow people, A Modest Proposal shows no mercy on blaming the Lord Lords,