5.03 "A Modest Proposal"
The speaker of "A Modest Proposal" is an Irishman from the upper class and is a protestant.
Given the content, it acquires a scathing and cynical tone. There are a variety of issues
with the proposal, as implied by statements like, "I can think of no one argument, that will
conceivable be raised against this idea, except it should be shown, that the number of people
would be subsequently substantially reduced in the kingdom." After all, I am not so firmly
attached to my individual vision that I'd ignore any other suggestions made by educated
individuals that will be seen as innocent, affordable, simple, and effective. Those who would
rather beg than take care of themselves horrified Swift. He asserts that these mothers are unable
to earn a living and are instead forced to devote the whole of their days begging for provisions
for their vulnerable kids, who as they get older either turn become thieves out of necessity, flee
to Spain to fight for the Pretender, or prostitute themselves to the Barbados.
Swift incorporates logos by attempting to establish his own credibility with his audience
when he talks about being "confident through way of means of our merchants" regarding the cost
of children or being "confident through way of a fully understanding" who has, reported