Great Works of Literature II

Jonathan Swift is widely known for his style of writing. He uses satire to address many of the issues he faced during his time. “A Modern Proposal” is no different. Swift uses this style to get his audience attention. It is not clear at first who his audience is, but as the proposal continues it is clear that it’s directed towards the English. Swift’s message is a strong one, and his rhetoric reinforces his stature. The proposal is to have the poor children of Ireland be sold, to be eaten by wealthy merchants. The paradox he implements captures the readers’ attention immediately because the thought of eating children for the greater good sounds absurd.

At first I did not know what to make of Swifts proposal. The language was clear but the message itself was not. I asked myself: is he serious? As I read further I realized he was not, and through Swifts figure of speech the message became clear. This was a stab at the English and with his wit, and rhetorical brilliance Swift takes the voice of  an economist who has figured out how to get rid of the burden the Irish bring to the people of England. Swift attacks the English by saying they have already devoured Ireland politically with their policies. He states that many have tried to solve Irelands issues without care of the consequences it may do to human life therefore why is his proposal outrageous. He even says “let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, till he hath at least some glimpse of hope that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice”

I feel this is a great piece of literature because Swift argues for his cause by arguing against it in such a way that it makes it the epitome of what satirical writing should be. Swift gets to his point in his argument, and he ends it with the irony that he himself does not have children. This may make it seem like his position in this argument is irrational, because he cannot sacrifice what he himself does not even have. But this enforces Swifts argument even more about economics and politics in Europe. England which had wealthy men who put forth policies that didn’t affect them directly but affected the poor Irish people, and then the politicians would call them a burden. Swifts proposal was not serious but, the strong message hidden  makes it a great piece of work.

When reading Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal, I couldn’t help myself digest the gruesome proposition that this man makes. When I started to grasp the idea that he was proposing cannibalism as a solution to Ireland’s troubles, I began to think about Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd.

Sweeney Todd is the musical movie, which mostly revolves around Sweeney Todd’s story. Sweeney Todd’s lover was taken away from him by the prince etc.  However, Mrs. Lovett is an interesting character in the musical because there is room for discussion on whether or not she was more evil than Todd was.

Well, Swift reminds me of Mrs. Lovett mostly because of their power to persuade. How well this proposal persuaded, I do not know, but his words are strong and more importantly his ideas, logical. Mrs. Lovett acted as the devil with Sweeney Todd. Although Todd was already angry and seeking revenge, Mrs. Lovett tempted Todd and pressured him into seeking revenge for many self-beneficial reasons.

This idea of cannibalism is portrayed in both Sweeney Todd and A Modest Proposal because of the character’s desire for financial and perhaps romantic gain. While Swift hints desires financial growth and prosperity for his country by the means of murdering innocent babies, Mrs. Lovett persuades Sweeney Todd to get his vengeance, first because (attempting to not spoil the movie) she knows his murders will lead to one grand mistake and she will gain his love, and second, which holds more of a comparison with this novel, by Todd’s murders she starts a business grinding the victim’s meat and selling meat pies. While reading A Modest Proposal, I thought about this because of the strong similarity they both have.

Now, if that didn’t gross you out, I don’t know what will, but the point is, Mrs. Lovett and Swift would be a perfect match. For me, I can never grasp the acts of cannibalism as morally right. Neither can I see how eating 1 year old babies can  “prevent voluntary abortions and horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children” (p. 484)  and yet be more justified than the other two that it is preventing.

I am looking forward to our inaugural posters–Irving & Mike!