Jonathan Swift

A Modest Proposal and The Bikerstaff Patridge Papers Jonathan Swift

A modest proposal', is a satirical essay written and published anonymously by Jonathan Swift in 1729. The essay suggests that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles, by selling their children for food to rich ladies and gentlemen! This satirical hyperbole, mocked heartless attitudes towards the poor, as well as British policy toward the Irish in general. A macabre, but tongue in cheek suggestion to the poor of 1729, on how to avoid poverty, by selling their babies for food! Lock up your babies now!, until they're a fully formed adult, is all I say!