Jonathan Swift and Satire

To readers, the difference in writing styles between the economist, Adam Smith, and the satiricist, Jonathan Swift, becomes immediately obvious. Whereas the former, as discussed last week, focuses on the academic interpretations of the world, the latter pokes fun at these interpretations, citing them as frivolous and pompous. This is the objective of a satire; to expose to the reader a sense of realisation at the pretence of other writers.

And Swift's short pamphlet, 'A Modest Proposal', provides the perfect example. He presents his argument for controlling the nation's population and at the same time, boosting its economy, (a direct satirical reference to the likes of Smith). He proposes, (modestly of course - another piece of satire), that parents of children at one year old, should slaughter their offspring and either provide a feast for themselves, or sell off the meat to rich landlords. He insists that such a method would also solve the Irish famine. Clearly, according to the narrative voice of the pamphlet, there are no drawbacks to his scheme.

However, reverting back to reality, it is obviously one of terrible cruelty and cannabilsm. But this is what the satire aims to achieve; a sense of disgust for an idea that is so mechanical, yet academically profound, thus encouraging us to reflect this negativity on those who propose other academic theories and solutions. In this way, Swift may be reaching out to the common man, the majority of society, unlike Smith, who appears to write for only the educated higher classes that may understand his ideas.

In my view, it is for this reason that Swift would probably have been the more popular of the two writers, having captured a much larger audience with his outrageous, yet albeit entertainingly written, pamphlets. Having said that, it is not impossible that at the time of publication, many may have been oblivious to the satirical elements of his writing, taking his proposal as a serious one. If this were the case, his readers would simply have disregarded his hidden messages and dismissed him as a madman. I had that trouble myself when first reading the essay, before picking up on the subtle aspects of satire, such as his abrupt, somewhat contradictive ending; disincluding himself and his children from his own proposal.

Today, both Smith and Swift are highly regarded in their own rights. Smith, for his calculated, logical theories, which still have some bearing on today's economic policies; and Swift, for his alternate, lively interpretations. This shows that there is room in today's society for many different views and political arguments, and perhaps, in my view, exemplifies the acceptance of an expanding social sphere in modern journalism.