A Modest Proposal Essay

Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal takes several digs at the significant issues of his time. He criticized the overall policy of Great Britain on how they treated Ireland. He took several digs at the powerhouse of London to criticize the people in charge. (thesis) "The Pretender" is a term used to refer to James Francis Edward Stuart, an heir to the English and Scottish thrones. He was the son of James II of England, who was removed during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The Jacobites, as his supporters were known, sought to restore the Stuart monarchy and overthrow the reigning Protestant Hanoverian monarchy. Swift references "The Pretender" in his essay when he mentions that the proposed solution of selling Irish children for food could

This way, he subtly touches upon the political complexities of the time, highlighting the political divisions and tensions within the country. Even in the 1800s, when immigrants were coming to America, the Catholics were facing discrimination. They were treated as second class citizens and often faced violence as their churches would get burned, “ these newcomers often met with hostility and derision. From the burning of Boston’s Charlestown Convent in 1834 and the rise of the single-issue, anti-immigrant Know Nothing party in the 1850s” (Zeitz, Politico). In addition to "The Pretender," Swift's essay is rife with other references to historical events and real-life people, such as “Projectors” This refers to people who proposed various schemes to solve Ireland's economic problems. Swift satirizes these well-intentioned but often impractical ideas by presenting his outrageous proposal as a "modest" solution. Swift criticizes the absentee English landlords who owned much of the land in Ireland but did not contribute to the country's well-being. He highlights their indifference to the suffering of the Irish people. “Adventurers” refers to wealthy individuals, often English, who bought land in Ireland for speculative purposes, exacerbating the economic hardships faced by the

By presenting an absurd and shocking solution to the problem, Swift sought to highlight the moral bankruptcy of the ruling class and the indifference of those in power.
The essay was indeed effective in drawing attention to the plight of the Irish and the oppressive nature of British rule. It sparked significant debate and outrage, both in Ireland and England. Some readers initially mistook the essay for a serious proposal, leading to even more discussions and outrage. However, as the satire became apparent, it forced readers to question the prevailing attitudes towards the Irish and the policies that contributed to their suffering.
In the context of the English/Irish conflicts, Swift's satire served as a scathing critique of British policies in Ireland and the exploitation of the Irish people. It exposed the harsh reality of the economic and social conditions under British rule and brought attention to the systemic issues that needed addressing. While it may not have directly solved the conflicts, it contributed to the broader discourse on the Irish situation and arguably played a role in shaping public opinion and influencing future