Swifts a Modest Proposal

           In this day and age satire is all around. When we turn on the TV we see shows like The Daily Show and The Simpsons that use satire to change try and change society. We also see many short clips from sites like YouTube that have various examples of satire. All this satirical comedy is from one man who set the stage for every one else, Jonathan Swift. The question is, is this form of mockery really a effective way to target people, make them aware, and then change the ills of society? In Swifts A Modest Proposal, it does just that.

          In this paragraph from Swift, it is talking about his proposal and the benefits of it and how it will help the people of Ireland greatly, "It is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them 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 feeding, and partly to the clothing, of many thousands." (Swift 1). In this paragraph Swift is talking about a plan that will help Ireland become rich and wealthy. His plan is to take all the beggar babies after one year old and have the population of Ireland eat them and use their clothes. This is a very effective piece of satire because Swift is using irony and sarcasm to expose this idea that sound so gross to change society's ills. Also in this paragraph, "And maturely weighted the several schemes of other projects, I have always found this one grossly mistaken in the computation." (Swift 1). This part of the paragraph is making people aware that England has had many ideas to help Ireland but has taken no action so this is the greatest plan. This paragraph has successfully expose England the target for destroying the foundation of Ireland. It has also made England aware that this is what the argument has come too.Lastly, made it so gruesome that England will want to change. 

          In this next paragraph Swift is using irony sarcasm and stereotypes to sarcastically make fun of the Irish people, and to show England what they have done to them, "Men would become as fond of their wives during the time of their pregnancy as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf Their sows when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage."(Swift 7). In this Swift is talking about the benefits of this idea and is saying that Irish men would now instead of beating there wife's treat them like a cow with a calf because they can sell the child for money. "Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own." (Swift 7). In this Swift is again using stereotypes that the Irish are so poor that after this plan they will finally own something. Swift is again targeting England and using stereotypes on the Irish to expose what England has left them with. Swift is saying that because England has ruled out all other ideas of helping Ireland now they have to kill there babies and this will also help the men not beat their wives. Swift has again made a effective piece of satire because he has exposed England through stereotypes and sarcasm, made them aware that they are being stereotypical and childish in not helping Ireland, and made them want to change from being childish and help Ireland. 

          In this next paragraph Swift is using sarcasm to make fun of the English people and say that he is too old and will not be able to participate in killing and eating the children.  "I have no children by which I can propose that to get a single penny; my youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing." (Swift 9). In this Swift is proposing this gross idea that he can not take part in. This is making fun of how anything that the English propose because they can not help in and it will only benefit them. We see this a lot today like on The Daily Show. In this show they make fun of a lot of politicians that want to make changes to America but can not participate in the changes they want. In this next part Swift is talking about how nothing else worked so the Irish have to kill the beggars babies. "I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have nit the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive that the goof of my country." (Swift 9). Swift is saying that all other plans proposed by the Irish were turned down and the English have no intention to help. Swift has again successfully used sarcasm and irony to target England, Make them aware that they have proposed other ideas to save Ireland but have been turned down, and how childish England is and how unfair they are. This makes England want to change the way they are because they feel childish and they feel exposed.
           Through many techniques like sarcasm, irony, and stereotypes. Swift has successfully used satire to change the way society is. This has also shaped the way for many comedians and writers to use these tool to expose whats wrong with the world and have the world change. Swift has also lade out the foundation on how Satire should be used. Satire can be really bad if people don't get it and feel like the party is agreeing with them. But if used correctly like in Swifts A Modest Proposal Satire can help shape a new and better world.