Irony in "A Modest Proposal" The pamphlet by Jonathan Swift, originally titled, "A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public," starts out as an absurd attempt at solving the poverty and famine problem in Ireland. The proposal solves the problem but is in complete conflict with our ethical and moral values. However, his proposal …showed first 75 words of 532 total…

…showed last 75 words of 532 total…irony in his proposal is a very strong tool. At the end of his proposal he poses real solutions to Ireland's problems; buying and using only products manufactured in Ireland; refusing foreign luxuries; having a feeling of mercy toward tenants; and being honest, industrial, and skillful. Swift's use of irony really grabs the reader's attention. It illustrated how great the problem in Ireland really is and how important it is to do something about it.