A Modest Proposal

A modest Proposal

By Jonathan Swift

In his essay Swift talks what living conditions were like in 18th century in Ireland

and how woman were always seen in walking down the street with four, five or six children tagging along beside her. Instead of working women had to take care of all the children and the house work, while the men worked. Back then women didn't have much rights but instead of just having babies and doing house work they could be working too. By having so many children only makes it harder for your family.

Swift states that a woman can nurture an infant up to a year or so just on breast feeding but then what? Why should children have to begging for food, and not dressed properly with rags on. If women has less children then there would be less mouths to feed and more money you can have.

Why have children if you won't be able to take care of them and raise them to the best that you can. Abortion is not the key out because that is simply killing your own child. Swift's solution to this problem was, "A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout."(pg213) Swifts solution was that poor Irish family's with many children agree to sell them in order to make more income. Thus meaning you sell your children and they you will have time to work while you are getting ready to have another baby in order to sell to make more income then go back to work an never