What was the purpose of Jonathan Swift's satirical piece "A Modest Proposal"? Explicitly state what Swift is proposing and whose minds he tries to influence.
The purpose of Jonathan Swift's satirical piece "A Modest Proposal" was to critique the socio-economic conditions prevailing in Ireland and the indifference of the British government towards their plight. Through satire, Swift proposes a shocking solution to the poverty-stricken state of Ireland, suggesting that impoverished Irish families should sell their children as food for the wealthy English.
Swift uses this outrageous proposal to convey his scathing criticism of the political and economic policies that had led to widespread poverty and starvation in Ireland, as well as the apathy of the British government towards the suffering of the Irish people. By suggesting such an unthinkable and horrifying solution, Swift aims to shock his readers and provoke them to think critically about the dire circumstances facing the Irish population.
The intended audience for Swift's piece was primarily the British ruling class and the English public. He wanted to emphasize the problems in Ireland and to draw attention to the oppressive policies and discriminatory treatment that the Irish endured under British colonial rule. Through biting satire, Swift hoped to influence the minds of those in power to take genuine action to alleviate the suffering of the Irish people and prioritize their needs.