I read an essay the title is A modest proposal. It’s written by Dr. Jonathan Swift. He was an Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer (first for the Whigs, then for the Tories), poet and cleric who became Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. He was born on November 30, 1667 in Dublin, Kingdom of Ireland. And he died on October 19, 1745(aged77). Swift is remembered for works such as A Tale of a Tub, An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity, Gulliver’s Travels, and A Modest Proposal. He is regarded by the Encyclopedia Britannica as the foremost prose satirist in the English language, and is less well known for his poetry. He is also known for being a master of two styles of satire, the Horatian and Juvenalian styles. His deadpan, ironic writing style, particularly in A Modest Proposal, has led to such satire being subsequently termed “Swiftian”.
The main objective of this essay is make the people realize of reality and aware of problems. He wanted attention to the problems of Ireland. When he wrote the essay, he started with this sentence. “For Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public”. It’s a satire on society.
He wrote this essay because he really loves his country and he was really mad at reality. He suggests that the Irish should sell their children as food to reduce the overpopulation and poverty. It made readers shocked but he didn’t mean that really you sell the children. He just wanted to people know the problems of society now. During 1500 to 1800, Ireland faced many economic difficulties. This essay filled with satire and irony.
When I read the essay, at first I was shocked and I couldn’t understand why the author suggests that cell the young children to rich people. And I wonder how person can eat person. But when I tried search about this essay with the author, I could know that this essay is also famous in Korea. And when I read this essay of Korean translation, I could know the real purpose of why he wrote the essay, I could knew how he really mad at reality and how much he loves his country. I could feel that he really wanted to make people aware of problems. I think his idea is good. Through the essay many people can realize the realities.
I know that Philippines also have some difficulties of society and economic problems. I hope Philippines also all people aware the problems through the wise way. And also solve the problems through good way. I think like this kind of essay make us think deeply and learn more. I will try to read more this essay so I will try to understand more about it.