Short Answer 
A Modest Proposal is a satirical essay by Jonathan Swift that critiques the exploitation of the poor in Ireland by the wealthy and government. Swift proposes the shocking idea of raising poor children as livestock to illustrate the indifference of society towards their suffering and to provoke readers into reflecting on real solutions to poverty.
1. Understanding the Context
In the early 18th century, Ireland was facing severe economic hardship, largely due to English control and oppression. The essay sets out to highlight the plight of the poor, particularly focusing on families struggling to support their children. This backdrop is essential to grasp the irony in Swift’s suggestion, as he critiques the indifference of the wealthy and the government towards the suffering of the Irish populace.
2. The Proposal
Swift’s “modest proposal” suggests an outrageous solution to the poverty crisis: instead of letting poor children become a burden, they should be raised as livestock for the wealthy. This grotesque idea serves several purposes:
- Addresses issues of starvation by turning children into a food source.
- Contributes to reducing overpopulation since fewer poor children would need support.
- Offers a cynical solution to unemployment, providing new opportunities for the poor to earn from their offspring.
3. The Ironic Commentary
Swift’s main goal is to provoke thought and critique societal attitudes toward the impoverished. By proposing such an extreme measure, he highlights the callousness of both the wealthy and the policymakers. His biting satire urges readers to reflect on their own responsibilities and the moral failures of society, making them reconsider solutions that truly benefit the community instead of using the vulnerable as mere tools for economic gain.