Journal Prompt Do teenagers today have it easier or harder than previous generations of teenagers did?  Why?

Satire Satire – making fun of something in society in order to point out its flaws and encourage improvement Horatian Satire Gentle, playful, sympathetic criticism Used by Alexander Pope Juvenalian Satire Dark, biting criticism Used by Jonathan Swift to savagely attack educators, politicians, and the clergy

Notes Ireland is being dominated by England Ireland in state of poverty; there is lack of food, jobs, knowledge (RESOURCES) PROBLEM: Too many babies ---Not enough RESOURCES SOLUTION: EAT Babies; SELL babies; SKIN Babies; BREED Babies

6 Reasons Why His Proposal is the Best Lessen number of Papists Poor will have something valuable to use as payment for debt/rent Nation’s profits increase and profits help to pull country out of poverty Poor parents are relieved of the burden of their children. Adds to the culture of the nation itself

6. Inducement to marriage (makes people want to get married and have kids) Increase mother’s tenderness and care towards their child- Abortion rates decrease Domestic violence will decrease

Who will benefit from Swift’s proposal? • The rich will profit from the poor paying their debts and the national economy will thrive. • The Aristocracy will have a delicacy to enjoy. • The poor will receive money from the sales of their infants. • Marriage and birth will be encouraged. • Men will be encouraged to not beat their wives since they could miscarry. • Exports of meat will rise, since the Irish will be eating their children.

Notes Swift denounces the absenteeism of landlords who live in far off countries, like England (where they spend Irish money.) Swift then moves away from the consumption of children to examine the reality of Irish economic problems. Many of the arguments presented here were real solutions to the problems, but they had been previously rejected so he proposes something outlandish.

Notes Like any good essayist, Swift knows there will be objections, so here he presents the opposition’s side. He offers a list of ideas that others have suggested, from rejecting foreign luxury to encouraging landlords to treat tenants with respect. He nears his conclusion by suggesting that if someone else has a better idea he would like to hear it, then ends ironically saying that he humbly asks his proposal be considered since his wife is not of child bearing age and his children are grown.

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER: Swift’s refusal to listen to other, rational ideas shows that other ideas have been ignored and the problem is now of vital importance The occupation of most Irish mothers is begging. Specifically in this text, Swift uses many instances of verbal irony to help stress his point. Swift supports his proposition by noting that using poor Irish children in this manner will result in an increase in material for clothes. The author tries to persuade the rich to accept his idea by describing the recipes the tavern-keepers will create. Jonathan Swift claims the motive for his proposal is for the good of the country. Swift use irony to satirize anti-Catholic feelings by suggesting infant flesh will be more plentiful in March. Swift supports his proposition that the Irish will benefit from his plan by calculating the average rate of profit to mothers per child. Swift refuses to consider young boys as a replacement for venison because their meat is too tough. Swift explains that his plan will help landlords since tenants will now have something valuable to offer.