Exposing Social Injustice through Satirical Discourse in Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”

Abstract

Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” (1729) remains one of the most powerful examples of political satire in English literature. Written during a period of severe economic hardship and political oppression in Ireland, the essay uses shocking exaggeration and irony to criticize the indifference of British authorities and privileged social classes toward the suffering of the poor. This article examines the satirical strategies employed by Swift to expose moral hypocrisy, economic exploitation, and the dehumanization of impoverished Irish citizens. The study focuses on the relationship between rational economic discourse and ethical responsibility, demonstrating how Swift deliberately adopts the language of political reformers in order to reveal the cruelty hidden beneath supposedly logical solutions. The research applies qualitative textual analysis to selected passages from “A Modest Proposal”. Particular attention is given to irony, hyperbole, economic vocabulary, and imagery associated with livestock and consumption. The article also explores how Swift positions readers as moral participants rather than passive observers. Through this approach, the study argues that the essay functions not only as literary satire but also as a broader ethical critique of social systems that prioritize profit over humanity. The findings demonstrate that Swift’s satirical method derives its effectiveness from the contrast between calm logical narration and horrifying content. The essay ultimately exposes the dangers of separating reason from compassion and challenges readers to confront their own responses to injustice. The article contributes to satire studies by analyzing *A Modest Proposal* as both a literary and moral interrogation of political rationality.