Rhetorical Analysis of A Modest Proposal

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Rhetorical Analysis of A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift's “A Modest Proposal” argues that the Irish might end their economic problems and poverty by breeding and selling their children as food for the wealthy ladies and gentlemen of the land. This exaggerated hyperbole, however, is a mockery of the heartless insensitivity of Ireland's wealthy and leadership toward the suffering of the poor. By presenting this ridiculous proposal for consideration in the court of public opinion, Swift implies that the Irish policy and its leadership has failed miserably to take care of the country's poor citizens, to the extent of making the idea of killing children for food not only imaginable, but also probable under the circumstances.
Swift builds his argument around the rhetorical techniques that involve appealing to people's emotions (pathos), the power of logic (logos), as well was ethos (credibility) to qualify himself as a reliable voice on the speaker. The way Swift applies these techniques shows that he is methodical in his approach. This is because he begins by appealing to people's sensitivities to engage them in the discourse. Next he uses the power of reason to support his position and dismiss potential opposition. He also uses data to establish credibility for himself and the proposal itself. Finally, he uses paralipsis (the act of raising an issue while pretending that it is inconsequential….that it's not even worth mentioning) to lay emphasis on what he really intends to communicate; the need for a fair, just, and responsible leadership to address Ireland's problems of poverty, hunger, and population growth.
Swift begins his proposal on an emotional note, by describing the condition of the poor. He states that it is a sorrow seeing so many women and children, all dressed in rags, begging for alms from people in the streets. The women, Swift observes, have no other mans of supporting their “helpless infants” other than by begging. In a few sentences, the author is able to hook the reader's attention by bringing up a universal issue (poverty and hunger” in a very emotive manner. The description of the beggars (all in rags), and of the children (helpless infants” creates a disturbing image in the reader's mind. This is not something one can easily dismiss, as it would have been the case had Swift simply said “there are many children and women in the streets begging for alms from pedestrians.” This matter-of-fact portrayal of the situation makes it seem normal and ordinary, although it is an accurate description of the situation as far as facts are concerned. However, the use of the expressions “all in rags” and “helpless infants” evokes sympathy and pity in the readers (Smith 137). Swift understands too well that all human beings are moved by images of suffering. Consequently, he begins his proposal by creating scenes of suffering and describing them in a manner that is sure to persuade the reader to side with him.
Similarly, Swift appeals to the readers' emotions by describing what will happen if something is not done to address the problem for which he intends to propose a solution. If nothing is done, women will continue to abort and “sacrifice innocent babes” to avoid the expenses of raising them up. He adds that such actions ought to “move tears and pity” even in people with the meanest of hearts. Likewise, Swift intends that these scenes should move any reader with a human heart and persuade them to be prepared to support his proposal.
After creating an emotive atmosphere and engaging the reader's pity and sympathy, the author proceeds to state his proposal “humbly,” with the hope that it will not attract any objection given the premises he has given priory. The idea of presenting his thoughts on the problem of hunger in Ireland humbly helps create a good rapport with the readers. This is because most readers are easily put off by authoritative approaches and claims of self-importance. Perhaps this claim of humility is informed by Swift's desire to minimize the damage his proposal may cause in advance. He understands that he is just about to make a very outrageous proposal, and anticipates the possibility of losing his credibility with the reader. Accordingly, he clarifies in advance that he is not about to impose a solution or have a final say on the matter. What he does with his ridiculous proposal, is present it before the court of public opinion for consideration. In this regard, the reader is not antagonized when Swift drops the bombshell because he drops it after seeking the reader's permission to do so and explaining the reasons that made him come up with the proposal.
Even then, Swift tries to distance himself from the proposal by suggesting that it was not his original plan. He begins his actual proposal by stating that “I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London…….” (par. 9). This statement serves two rhetorical purposes. First, it saves the author's credibility by not linking him directly with the outrageous and barbaric idea of cannibalizing innocent children. Indeed, the first reaction in readers upon reading this statement is to doubt the author's sanity and human qualities. Swift dispels such notions by stating that he came up with the proposal after getting “the assurance of a very knowing American...,” which suggests that he had also been troubled by the cruel nature of the proposal until he was persuaded by his “very knowing” friend. This claim helps to persuade the reader that the author is not crazy, which in turn maintains his credibility as a reasonable voice on the issue. Secondly, the statement implies that the author had carried out extensive research on the matter before coming up with the proposal. The fact that he consulted a very knowing American friend paints the picture of a person who would not come up with an idea dreamt up in the spur of a moment. He gave it a lot of thought and consulted an expert before he was satisfied that the proposal he has in mind is viable and relevant to the problem in question. He states that he had arrived at this proposal after “turning it” in his thoughts for many years (par. 4). The rest of the statement is the heart of his proposal, and the part that will shock his readers. … “that a young healthy Child well Nursed is at a year Old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome Food, whether Stewed, Roasted, Baked, or Boyled” (9 ). In a second, Swift risks losing his credibility with the readers and making his proposal attract criticism. Aware of this possibility, he repeats his previous tactic, of insulating himself from public ridicule by stating that he is offering this proposal to the public for consideration.
This humbling down before the readers, however, is not enough to make the readers at ease. The very thought of turning “helpless infants” into human food is not only revolting to any sane mind, but enough to make readers become skeptical of any other views the author presents. Conscious of the damage done by the one sentence, the author moves quickly to keep readers on his side by appealing to their emotions again. In paragraph 12, he states that the food of human flesh will be well liked by and suitable for “Landlords, who, as they have devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children (12). Swift achieves three goals with this declaration. First and most important, it helps to divert the readers' anger away from the speaker and toward the Landlords, the real culprits for causing the problem in the first place. Secondly, it re-engages the readers' emotions on the issue by raising the suffering of poor Irishmen as a result of corruption, poor leadership, and economic exploitation by the ruling class.
The third goal is the central theme of the proposal; a satirical attack on and mockery of Ireland's ruling class and ineffective national policies. This idea is supported by the fact that much of Swift's writings were intended to mock and criticize ineffective governments. Swift himself claimed that the chief purpose of his “labors is to vex the world rather than divert it” (Phiddian 604). Accordingly, Swift might be aware of how outraged his readers will be after reading his cannibalistic proposal, but that is exactly how he wants them- outraged and unsettled. He wants them to be outraged not only by his proposal, but also by the cause of the suffering. Thus, he wants to evoke feelings of anger in the readers, perhaps to work them up into doing something. This is his purpose of writing; to provoke a reaction from the readers to correct the situation. Indeed, it gradually becomes clear that Swift is not concerned of his own credibility as much for his proposal. After destroying his credib...