Introduction
Is the solution to poverty selling babies for food? During the early 1700s, poverty was rampant in Ireland. The people could not provide for themselves or their families. There was a population increase, with most of these people being street children who spent their days begging in the streets of Ireland up to their adulthood. They did this with their mothers begging for sustenance. When the children eventually grew up, they became thieves. This paper is a persuasive essay based on Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal. It presents arguments that agree with the proposals Swift makes in his essay. This is because the proposals by Swift stand to benefit the majority of the population of Ireland in terms of combating poverty and the population rise in the country. The arguments are also likely to save most children from a life of suffering and poverty that awaits them in the poorly managed country. It is a form of mercy for them. I disagree with the author where he portrays the poor people as the architects of their problems.
Body
The proposal by Swift to sell children so that the rich can eat them has economic benefits for all the people involved. “Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord’s rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown” (Swift, 1729, p. 9). This quote indicates that the tenants will earn the enough money to pay their rent and meet their other needs. The second economic profit this venture will bring is more revenue to Ireland. “…the nation’s stock will be thereby increased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a new dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste” (Swift, 1729, p. 9). This quote indicates how expensive it is to raise children to adulthood, considering the rampant poverty in Ireland. The author suggests that selling the children will earn the people instant revenue in circulation, instantly benefiting Ireland.
The third benefit of selling children will be reaped by the mothers who can do it annually and therefore utilize it as a sustainable source of revenue. “Fourthly, the constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year” (Swift, 1729, p. 9). This quote provides a well-determined figure of eight shillings sterling per annum as the financial benefit the sale of babies is likely to accrue. The above sentiments from Swift indicate a maximum benefit to all involved if babies are sold for food.
The proposals made by Swift stand to benefit the children greatly. Selling the children and having them eaten will save them from a long life of suffering. “…when they see the streets, the roads and cabin doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms” (Swift, 1729, p. 1). This quote describes the situation the children and their mothers in the streets face. They stay in crowded places and spend their time begging, which is annoying. The second reason why selling the children for food is merciful is since most children in the streets grow up to become thieves. When caught, these children may suffer dire consequences. “…as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work…” (Swift, 1729, p. 1). The above quote shows the futility of the children born to poor mothers who eventually become thieves. What is the point of having a child who, when they grow to adulthood, will become a thief when they can instead benefit their parents by giving them money? Theft is a dangerous career path for them and endangers their lives.
The third reason why selling the children is merciful is that the children who do not become thieves either end up fighting for Spain or become slaves. “…or leave their dear native country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes” (Swift, 1729, p. 1). The quote above indicates the futility of the lives of poor children. Going to war and becoming slaves are equally degrading eventualities of the lives of these children. Going to war may eventually lead to their death. It will not profit their families. Selling them for food, however, will profit their families. Killing the children when young, therefore, saves them from miserable and worthless lives.
Counterargument
The author argues that the people have a stake in their problems. He argues that the fellow poor Catholics are responsible for the country’s problems. “…it would greatly lessen the number of Papists, with whom we are yearly over-run, being the principal breeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies…” (Swift, 1729, p.8). This quote indicates an incorrect argument. I think the rulers are responsible for the problems and that blaming the Catholics is escapism from the real issue. The author proposes a solution that he cannot actualizes from a personal point of view. “I have no children by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing” (Swift, 1729, p. 13). This quote indicates the inability of the author to participate in actualizing his proposal. The proposed solution seeks to affect other people while letting the author keep his family and life intact. It shows that his understanding of the source of the issue at hand may be flawed.
The third reason I think the author’s reasons for suggesting the solution is wrong is that the solution perpetuates the preexisting cruelty it purports to solve. “…and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expense than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast” (Swift, 1729, p. 2). The quote portrays the author suggesting the eating of babies as a solution to abortion and the killing of bastards. A suggestion of killing to solve murder is outrageous. The author’s suggestion is therefore not from a place of concrete understanding of the problem at hand.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this essay argues that selling children for food may solve some problems that are predominant amongst the poor Irish people. These include poverty, providing revenue for the government, and providing a constant source of revenue for their mothers through annual births. The children are also beneficiaries as they are saved from being thieves, being beggars who are disliked, and going to war or slavery, both undesired ends to their lives. I have disagreed with the author where he blames the poor people for their problems. He blames the Catholics, and I think this is escapism. He proposes solutions he cannot adhere to and suggests solutions that I think are ridiculous such as killing children to curb murder. This essay can change our perceptions towards our societal problems and enable us to make our leaders accountable for their failures.
References
Swift, J. (1729). A Modest Proposal. Art-Bin.com. Web.