A Modest Proposal

Swift's "A Modest Proposal" does a fantastic job of satirizing the topic of population control. What is scary, though, is how relevant this type of satire is to today. At first glance, Swift's proposal borders on that of psychotic and absolute absurdity until you take a closer look at the issue beneath the satire. Not only is the voice of the orator lofty (obviously poking fun at the lack of common sense present in the higher tiers of politics) it also has complete disregard to the minority being debated about. This is happening in many different forms today whether it be issues with the poor, lower classes here in the US, the attempts at population control in China or (in a more extreme case) the disturbing acts of genocide in Darfur and other regions of Africa. It is a disturbing fact of human nature but, as evolutionary science has shown us, it is in human nature to classify and control. There is always a sense of greed that prevails and that is clearly seen beneath the satirical waters of Swift and time.