A Modest Proposal
“A Modest Proposal” is a satirical essay by Jonathan Swift written in 1729 during the Enlightenment period to mock the attitude which the rich showed towards the poor. At the time, there was a high level of classism in Britain, especially, as the agrarian revolution was taking shape. The revolution took place between the mid-17th century to the late 19th century (Swift, 1729). Therefore, the rich considered themselves as more important and held the view that the poor needed to give up much of the resources which they had for their sake.
The work reflects the theme of discrimination against the poor that was occurring during the time. The agrarian revolution meant to make the poor give up their lands for the wealthy ranch owners. The poor had to move to towns to look for jobs as the industrial revolution was taking shape (Swift, 1729). Therefore, the poor seemed to lack the opportunity to build themselves effectively as it would be desirable. The rich had significant amounts of resources at their disposal. They could, therefore, use the same to advance their situation.
Jonathan Swift had a significant contribution to humanities as he showed that the poor were suffering in the hands of the rich as a result of discrimination. Significant changes, therefore, needed to occur with the need to enable the poor to attain the necessary levels of care and recognition which they deserved at the time. The strategy would be essential in easing their situation, thereby improving their lives significantly (Swift, 1729). He aimed to show the rich that they had a huge role to play in terms of reducing the challenges which the poor experience. They needed to show the poor that they were held in high consideration. They needed to show the poor that they had a significant role to play in society and had to be treated in a way which was befitting for them (Charness, 2019). Through the process, they would continue to feel as equal members of Britain.
References
Charness, N. (2019). A Modest Proposal for Solving the Older Worker Productivity Problem. Work, ageing and retirement, 5(2), 204-206.
Swift, J. (1729). A Modest Proposal For preventing the Children of Poor People From being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and For making them Beneficial to the Publick