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to be used as food, among other things, thereby providing income for poor peasant mothers and rendering them useful to society as a whole. When stated as such, the atrocious nature of the proposal is clear. However, Swift employs such masterfully subtle and witty language that the reader is almost inclined to not notice the obvious deplorable aspects and to agree with his arguments (Norton 2473, footnote #1).

The skillful irony that Swift employs throughout the proposal is most notably clear in the justifications of his arguments. Near the beginning of the text, Swift explains that "it is agreed by all parties" that the overpopulation of children is a problem that is "a very great additional grievance" to the current "deplorable state" of Ireland. He further states:
". . . and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap, and easy method of making these children sound, useful members of the commonwealth would deserve so well of the public as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation (Norton 2474, first paragraph)."

One cannot deny that this is a positive and potentially beneficial suggestion. It is not until further along in the text, however, that Swift's true proposal becomes clear.
When Swift finally begins to introduce the true nature of his suggestions, the reader begins to raise an eyebrow, perhaps, at the severity of what he is implying. However, the language that he employs again masks the horror of its reality. Swift casually states that an acquaintance of his has assured him that "a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicate, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled. He then flippantly adds, "and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout (Norton 2475, first paragraph). At this point, the reader must take a step back and ask himself whether or not he really understands what Swift is implying. Although the language is clear, it is paradoxically at odds with its tone. It is a masterfully witty use of irony and sarcasm.
Before bringing the proposal to a close, Swift interposes a most unsarcastic statement. It reads:
"Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, till he hath at least some glimpse of hope that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice (Norton 2478, fourth paragraph)."

Swift had previously made several suggestions in other writings as to how to really solve some of the problems mentioned in A Modest Proposal, and this statement is in reference to the fact that none of these suggestions had been taken seriously (Norton 2478, footnote #6).
In closing, there can be no doubt that the satire employed in Jonathan's Swift's A Modest Proposal is cutting wit at its finest. The sarcastic comparisons and ironic exaggerations, along with the skillfully witty language, add a stinging overtone to his writing that imprints itself upon the minds of his readers in a manner such that it cannot be forgotten. Sarcasm can be a very sharp sword indeed, and writers such as Jonathan Swift wield it expertly. His satirical prowess is an example for the ages.

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