In Jonathan Swift’s, “A Modest Proposal” the reader is introduced to a specific use of tone, called satire. The entirety of the story is satirical because it makes fun of big ideas that people have proposed to solve problems in society. The particular problem at hand in this story takes place in Ireland in the 1720’s, which was a time of depression in Ireland. Swift knows a lot about this time because he was born in Dublin and was born in the middle of a feud between the Irish and English. Swift wrote this story because it is part of his family and country's history. He specifically brings to light the mistreatment of Irish Catholics by English Protestants. He believed England was exploiting Ireland for their crops which pushed many farming families to the brink of starvation. This combined with the population increasing caused a major problem and it also paints the backstory of Swift's story. The culture and time period is set in such a difficult time that it gives the author an opportunity to write a story with satire. By looking at the author's use of satire we can see how authoritarian government has gotten out of control which is important because it addresses social issues. 

Swift uses satirical tone to give us a glimpse into the hardship in Ireland during the 1720’s. Satire is mainly used in literature to show folly and wrongdoing in humans, especially within the government or other organizations. Swift uses this technique to bring comedic relief to a hard subject. His “comedy” can be perceived as twisted at times which was common in this story. Swift brings up a very controversial opinion to throw off the reader. He says, “I am assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London; that a young healthy child / well nursed / is / at a year old / a most delicious / nourishing / and wholesome food; whether stewed / roasted / baked or boiled / and I make no doubt / that it will equally serve in a fricassee / or ragout. (207)” He introduces this idea in a very surprising way by claiming that babies are delicious when you stew,bake, or boil them. Swifts main goal is to actually teach the reader about a very depressing time in Ireland by using comedic relief to lighten the mood and make the story more interesting. According to a biography on Swift, he was born in Dublin in the middle of a civil war between the Irish people and the English so naturally he feels a strong connection to this topic. He lived a rough childhood but found peace in comedy. That is why he is able to so eloquently teach the reader about a sad part of history and still make it funny. Another unique quote comes when Swift is mocking the type of Englishmen who supported starving the Irish farmers in the 1720’s, "A very worthy person / a true lover of his country / and whose virtues I highly esteem / was lately pleased in discoursing on this matter to offer a refinement upon my scheme. (208) " He is pretending to be a modern upper class, English thinker of the 1720’s when they suggested starving the people of Ireland for their own benefit. Swift suggests that these type of men would eat the flesh of fourteen-year-old children in addition to infants to solve their problems. Satire makes it easy to poke fun and call out ridiculous ideas of the government in the past.

Swifts hidden meaning behind this story is to show how authoritarian government has got out of control. Swift, a native Irishman, is clearly fed up by the stuck up English politicians exploiting the people of Ireland. He was always the underdog and considered the outcast which is why he wants to show why authoritarian government is a problem during his time and tries to warn the reader that it will be an issue in the future. He takes on the role of corrupt politician in order to give us a bird's-eye view of hardhearted British public policy. His goal is to make the English politicians look as foolish as possible while also still offering up advice on how to correct their diplomatic issues. Swift mocks England's leaders very early in the story, “ and therefore / whoever could find out a fair / cheap / and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the commonwealth would deserve so well of the public as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation” (20). The English were so greedy that they were only satisfied with money and didn't care whether or not the people of Ireland were safe and well. They got to this mindset by being the ones with power. According to a source on Authoritarian government, the lack of freedom for the “underdog” or minority will drive people to do the most radical things. They feel like they can't express their emotions and keep everything bottled up until they make one big irrational decision. That leads to the government abusing their power. There is a tendency for the leader to be greedy for power and eventually abuse this for self-gratification. 

Swift addresses social issues that were important at the time of this essay. The most troubling issue at the time of this essay was poverty in Ireland. Almost everybody was poor because almost everybody was a farmer. Once the potato famine hit, everybody went starving because nobody had money or a job. Early in the story Swift addresses this poverty, “But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professed beggars; it is of a much greater extent / and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them as those who demand our charity in the streets” (30). The children of farmers and the children of beggars were pretty similar socially. They were looked at the same and treated the same, essentially, it was very common to be poor in Ireland. One of the sadder things brought to light by Swift's essay was that mothers in Ireland were largely unable to care for their children. He highlights that struggle early on in the story, “These mothers, instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood / are forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg for sustenance for their helpless infants / who / as they grow up / either turn thieves for want of work / or leave their dear native country to fight for the Pretender in Spain / or sell themselves to the Barbados” (10).  He shows that moms really want to be able to help their kids but they just can't do to the circumstances they are faced with. It is only the wealthy families that mothers can take care of their children. 

The authors main goal in writing this piece was to try to teach the reader beyond the paper. He wanted the reader to understand that authoritarian government can be a very destructive force, but also that it is important to be open when addressing social issues. Holding back your thought will only lead to a more fatal outcome. Being open and honest with people is what will get you the safest solution to your problems. Instead of trying to teach the reader this idea through a boring history lesson, Swift uses satire to relieve the tense mood on the difficult subject. His satirical tone is what keeps the reader engaged and eventually helps to understand the overall meaning of his work.
