Jonathan Swift, satirist as well as writer, said that “satire’s a glass which allows beholders to see all the faces except their own” (Swift). Swift mentions these beholders as using satiric storytelling to express social and/or political problems. Swift uses rhetorical techniques, exaggeration and insincerity when he satirizes the Irish state poverty. John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera also employs satire to point out the hypocrisy in London’s treatment for the lower classes. His piece aims to correct the social, political and economic vices that ruled London in the 18th century. To challenge notions about poverty and social class, satire can be used.
“A Modest Proposal” is an effort to “find a fair cost-effective and simple way” to help the poor children of Ireland become “sound and productive members of the commonwealth.” Swift starts by praising the miserable lives of poor Irish families who struggle to support their families. This depicts a world of street beggars who are followed by children wearing rags.
It is a sad sight to see people walking through the great city or traveling in the country. They see the streets and roads clogged with female sex beggars, followed by three, four or six children dressed in rags, and begging for alms. Instead of earning a decent living, these mothers must spend their days strolling to provide food for their children.
This opening sentence gives a vivid, compassionate portrayal of Ireland’s lower classes. Unsettling images of hunger, poverty and overpopulation are displayed to the readers. The introduction by Swift 3 shows empathy for women and children. He states that mothers are “forced” to walk, to provide food for their infants (Swift 3) Swift’s use of words like “forced”, “helpless” and “forced” to express sympathy is a way for Swift to highlight the implied notions. The images that Swift leaves behind are of powerlessness. The reader is left with images of powerlessness.
The narrator proposes that the Irish government kill the children of poor families to make it easier on them. Swift exaggerates to make political and social commentary. Swift’s absurdity is starting to be noticed by readers.
“I think no gentleman would be reluctant to give ten shillings in exchange for a carcass of a healthy child. The squire will become a respected landlord and will be well-liked by his tenants. His mother will make eight shillings per child and will be ready to work until she has another. If you are more thrifty, as I have to admit the times call for, you may flay your carcass. The skin will be artificially covered and make great gloves for ladies and boots for gentlemen.” (Swift 7/8).
The Irish are not capable of solving poverty in their own country so the narrator attempts to encourage them to think rationally about the matter and to take action. Swift’s description of the meat of children is very interesting. Swift calls it a “delicacy” that “will make 4 dishes of excellent nutritional meat” (Swift7). Swift also mentions how infant skin makes “admirable hands for ladies” as well as “summer boots to fine gentlemen” (Swift 7-8). Swift refers to wealthy characteristics of the poor by using words such “admirable”, “fine”, and “summer boots for fine gentlemen” to indicate what can be made out of children.
The “sympathetic” impressions created by the introduction’s suggestion that children be fed to the noblest rather than their starving parents are quickly destroyed. Swift’s text is filled with rhetoric, which gives readers a “love/hate” relationship with his narrator. Swift’s compassion for the poor is greatly alleviated when he feels that the beggars are to blame for their poverty. The poor do not have to be considered powerless. He uses this language to address the widespread belief that poor people are only lazy opportunists. Swift does not fully endorse this idea but he is able to show the political and social complexities surrounding poverty using humor.
John Gay’s social humor The Beggar’s Opera criticizes the political constructs. He suggests morality is something only those who have the money can afford. The Beggar describes the play as “the fine gentlemen imitates the gentlemen in the road” (Gay 91). Gay’s depiction of poverty centers heavily on equality and the constant contrasts he makes between the upper class and the lower.
“Through all Employments of Life, Every Neighbour abuses its Brother; Whores call Husbands or Wives: All Professions Be-Rogue One Another: The Priest calls Lawyer a Cheat, while the Lawyer be-knaves Divine: And the Statesman because he’s too great, considers his trade as honest, as mine”(Gay 2).
Gay uses humor to highlight the corruption and dark underbelly of English society eighteenth-century. Gay emphasizes their moral similarities rather than Swift who highlights the clear distinctions between these two classes. They are not portrayed as poor beggars but as people with money. There are many comical comparisons between the upper and lower classes, such as between priests, lawyers, statesmen, and criminals. Gay draws these parallels in order to expose the fraud of England’s justice systems and, ultimately, to eradicate the political and social vices that control the country.
We reduce the superfluities of Mankind. The World is avaritious. Covetous men, like Jackdaws, take what they are not meant to have, just to hide it. These are the thieves of Mankind. Money was meant for the generous and free-minded. (Gay 29)
Matt’s speech clearly illustrates the theme and hypocrisy of the play. It also takes on a socialistic perspective to the rights for man. While it is strongly held that wealth should be shared among the wealthy, the schemes used by highwaymen to befriend young people at a game table and then rob them of their earnings are anything but noble. Gay, contrary to Swift’s assertions, does not consider the poor guilty of moral lapses. The poor are not morally immoral. They are amoral. The lower classes are unable to use morality as a manipulative tool because they live in such poverty.
The use of humor is to challenge the notions of poverty and social class. Swift uses rhetoric, exaggeration, and insincerity in Swift’s modest proposal to portray and reflect the low standard of living in Ireland. Swift literally says that the rich “devour”, and the poor suffer at the expense. Gay, however, points out the similarities of the upper and low classes in order discredit the pervasive wealth snobbery. Through the use of humor, both authors are able to expose the corruption and hypocrisy within England’s social system.
Works cited:
Gay, John. The Beggar’s Opera is a ballad opera composed by John Gay in 1728. It is a satirical story of highwaymen, thieves, and jailbirds set in London. It is considered to be one of the earliest British musicals, and has been performed numerous times since its debut. William Heinemann, 1921. Print.
Swift, Jonathan. “A Modest Offer.” Web. 5 Nov. 2015.