A Modest Proposal?

     "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift, seeks to solve the problem of poverty in Ireland. He estimates there are 120,000 children born into poverty every year. His proposal is to use the poor mothers as breeders and to use their children as food. The children will be sold to the rich as a way for the mother to make ends meet.
     Using this cannibalistic approach would reduce the number of children who will live through poverty, but will not end poverty. The women will not become rich from their children and the poverty will not be solved. The mothers would have a new job of selling their children as treats. The outrageous proposal would solve the problem of abortion and mothers killing their children, but allow others to kill their children. Swift suggests that the children can be used at weddings and christenings. He even states that women might compete to have the fattest child for sale.
     It is obvious that Swift does not really believe in what he has written. He is using this ignorant and beastly approach to gain attention. It is a very effective approach and it will hopefully call someone to action. It is astounding to me that he can write so many words about something he does not believe in. It is amazing how many problems this approach solves while being so unforgiving. Swift gains even more attention by describing his own proposal as innocent. The cycle of events he has proposed is brilliant, but brutal.