Analysis of A Modest Proposal

            Often times, writers use comedy to talk about a serious topic with the idea in mind to spark a change in the world. It is a relatable way for readers to understand and to be interested in a topic. Shifting from a serious to sarcastic tone in A Modest Proposal, Jonathon Swift utilizes absurd diction, humorous imagery, and supportive logos to suggest a way to deplete the population by having a “child make two dishes”.

            Swift, trying to make the reader question where he plans to go with his proposal, utilizes inappropriate, almost uncomfortable diction. Specifically, the proposal is “to provide for [the children] in such a manner as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the  cloathing of many thousands” in being used as meals for others. Based on the ages of the children and the amount of food the child consumes creates the “infant’s flesh [to] be in season throughout the year, [and be] more plentiful” for a meal. Swift continuously jokes about the children making food meals or even just parts of them. If the family is having a gathering, “a child will make two dishes” and when dining alone, “the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish” to eat.

            The imagery used is so in-depth and descriptive with words making it seem humorous to the reader. In the beginning while describing “the streets, the roads, and cabin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an dims”. There are “children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers” describing how there are kids everywhere and there is too many to just carry them. Following his idea with the extra children, he described the children as “a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked or boiled” which the reader can indefinitely envision.

            The facts and evidence behind an idea is known as logos. Swift says, “there may be about two hundred thousand couples whose wives are breeders, from which [he subtracts] thirty thousand couples, who are able to maintain their own children,” showing there are many kids left uncared for. Poor parents, statistically, give birth to “a hundred and twenty thousand children” annually. Having believed the children should be over six, because they have “the quickest proficiency in the art” of making good nutritious meals.

            While Swift’s solution to the serious problem of over population is absurd and absolutely ridiculous, he does raise a valued point: something does in fact need to be done to save the population and deplete it. Having incorporated thought provoking diction, imagery, and logos to explain his proposal to change the population of Ireland. While increasing population in the streets of another country may not directly affect a person at this time, before they know it they will migrate to the United States and start taking our resources and the United States will become over populated too.