A Modest Proposal Summary and Analysis

The essay begins with Swift describing how the streets are crammed full of female beggars dressed in rags. But what is worse is they often have four to six children with them. At the beginning of a child's life, this is not such a problem since a child can last a year on its mother's milk. Yet as the children grow, it becomes increasingly difficult for the beggar women to support them. Even then, it is to no avail. As soon as the children are old enough, they become criminals. In short, they are no use to society and particularly a society that is going through difficult times.

The author states that in its current state society needs to find a solution that is both cheap and easy.

Swift outline his argument by showing some of his...