As I began reading “A Modest Proposal”, I was interested in how Swift would propose fixing the harsh environment in Ireland. The problem of poverty and beggars in Ireland in this text is a serious matter and I thought Swift’s proposal would equally as serious. However, as I continued reading it became harder and harder to believe the words I was reading. The thought of eating an infant and it being considered a luxury dish disgusted me. While it is a solution to the problem of children being born and raised in poverty, I cannot think of it as an actual solution.
Swift really thinks this could be a practical way to reduce the poverty. While, to a certain extent, I agree with him, I don’t think it could ever actually materialize. It is an inhumane solution to the problem. Swift is correct by saying “it would give the tenants something valuable of their own” and it would give the poorer class a way to gain money to help the country out of poverty, I don’t think that justifies murdering and consuming hundreds of infants. To me, that brings me back to the beginning of the text when Swift talks about ending abortions and killings of bastard children. Killing the children whether it is through an abortion or to sell as food leaves you with the same result.
