Rhetorical Analysis Of Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal

In “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift, a solution is presented to assist in solving Dublin, Ireland’s issue in 1729 of having too large of a population to feed and take care of. A majority of those in poorer conditions were female beggars and their large group of young children. These children often are brought up without proper education and nourishment, turning them into citizens who beg and thieve that reap little in society, burdening the nation as a whole. To solve this predicament, Swift uses satire to propose that a certain amount of these specified children be preserved and the rest sold at a year old to the prestigious and the general public for use as a food and clothing source. Swift wrote that his proposal would solve the issue

He ensured that his argument would be credible through his multiple uses of ethos. Swift (1729) commenced by building his credibility on the cover of his work: “Dr. Jonathan Swift” (p. 1). The title given to his name substantially increases the reader’s sense of the credibility of the author and his argument. Swift stated that “[his] intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professed beggars: it is of a much greater extent” (p. 2). Through this use of ethos, Swift further establishes the reliability of his argument as he shows that he is fair and unbiased towards a specific class of people. Finally, Swift develops certainty in his proposal by stating that another individual of high status has partaken of his plan on multiple occasions and assured him of its success: “I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance… from frequent experience” (pp. 4-7). Swift’s effective use of ethos can be seen as a hazard in trying to solve the issues of hunger and homelessness as he makes himself and his argument sound trustworthy even if his idea is preposterous, possibly allowing one to enact the proposal based on its sound

However, Swift’s position, although it was meant to highlight other specific issues through the use of satire, can easily be misinterpreted and is a plan that would prove dangerous if implemented in modern society as it is plainly read. Swift’s proposal involves society turning to cannibalism to solve the problems of hunger and homelessness due to overpopulation. This act of murder for the benefit of satiation goes against the taught morality of Kant’s “Golden Rule”:“Life is so sacred that for no reason should it be sacrificed or taken -- unless it’s punishment for murder.” Furthermore, due to Swift’s solution’s common misinterpretation, one might actually implement the actions and harm many through his or her crime, making the solution one that is very hazardous. Instead, to solve help the issues, one might show compassion to those who are in dire need, setting an example so that individuals of all classes could follow. This individual could host fundraisers to raise money for the building of housing projects or shelters in known homeless camps so that less people would be without a home. This individual could also create an organization that specifically assists those that are jobless by helping them build up their résumé and apply for a