In Jonathan Swift’s satirical essay titled ‘A Modest Proposal’, the use of verbal irony is evident right from the title itself. The phrase ‘modest proposal’ suggests a humble or simple suggestion; however, its actual content is anything but modest. Swift proposes that impoverished Irish citizens sell their children as food to the rich, which is a shocking and extreme suggestion.
This stark contrast between the title and the proposal exemplifies verbal irony, where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning. Swift’s use of ‘modest’ is deeply ironic as it downplays a horrific solution to the dire social and economic issues facing Ireland in the 18th century. Instead of a simple or reasonable proposal, Swift’s work reveals the extreme measures some people were considering amidst rampant poverty and societal neglect.
Through this irony, Swift effectively criticizes the British government’s neglect and the societal indifference towards the suffering of the Irish people. By presenting such an outrageous idea under the guise of modesty, he forces readers to confront the brutal reality of the situation, making them reflect on the severity of the issue at hand.