Jonathan Swift in his work, A Modest Proposal shows a ‘surprise ending’ that changes the readers previously presumed perception. When he highlights the problems that infants cause along the streets or on their mothers’ backs, one may think that he has got a humble solution to it all. This becomes not the case for he suggests that the infants flesh be sold to the rich as source of their food.
When Jonathan embraces the idea of making use of his thoughts about the many underprivileged people who are old and malnourished, it is evident that the conclusion of all he thinks differs from the way he introduces them. He says that he has computed the cost of tending a poor man’s child, and ironically, it cost not much. To him no gentle man would pay a lot for the carcass of a fat child which he considers a delicious meal for a family. He actually proposes an arrangement on how cannibalize the nation’s brood!
The author is however successful in making us accept the ending as he stipulates it. He digs deep at length to prop up his argument. To these, he not only organizes a record of promising preparation methods for the infants but also calculates the cost and the economic advantages of his suggestion. We are prompted to concur with him in embracing our independence in totality. All in all, the satire expressed when Swift alludes to the landlords’ attitude in this work grants success in recognizing the suitability of this ‘surprise ending’.
Reference
Jonathan, S. (1729). A Modest Proposal. A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland From Being a Burden on Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public.
