During the early 1700s, Ireland experienced economic and social turmoil— unemployment was high, Ireland was experiencing a social class war, and lower class families struggled to obtain food. Renowned author, Jonathan Swift, sarcastically proposes that the country set a quota of 100,000 children to be set aside as a food supply. Swift’s over exaggerated proposal is a subliminal message to the Irish Government that has done nothing to mend the factious and fractured social classes and economy of their country. Throughout “A Modest Proposal,” Swift theorizes a process analysis of the system and social conventions that would be established if Ireland were actually to resort to cannibalism. In his sarcasm, Swift uses many instances of over exaggeration, similes, and parables to convey his obscured message about government reformation. Swift begins …show more content…
Swift continues this provocation, addressing the “more thrifty” people who “may flay the carcass” and use the skin in order to make “gloves for ladies” and “summer boots for fine gentlemen.” Swift uses a simile to compare preparing children by “dressing them hot from the knife, as [done when] roasting pigs.” Swift uses this simile to exaggerate what a simple and traditional part of the diet children would be in Ireland. In essence, Swift yearns to provoke the Irish people to fight for social equality and a mended economy—the only manner of achieving this equality and shared wealth is by government