Swift might be looked at as an
absurd individual by some for suggesting that
cannibalism might help the poverty problem, but he does have an important
point in his proposal. Eating children is not what he wishes, but the
tactic that Swift uses in order to grab the attention of readers. He attempts to
convey implicitly in his argument how serious the problems of poverty are in
Ireland, while explicitly discussing deplorable ideas as answers. Swift's use of satire in "A Modest Proposal" is a brilliant way of getting the attention of readers through
shock, and the explicit argument of eating babies to solve problems tactfully reveals the
implicit argument of a need to end poverty.
Satire is Swift's mechanism for arguing about the plight of poverty, and he uses the shock tactic of suggesting that people eat children in order to grasp the attention of readers. By making statements such as, "A young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled," Swift tries to explain that resorting to cannibalism might be the only alternative to control the problem. However, the explicit argument of cannibalism is not meant to be taken serious, but meant to imply that poverty is serious and drastic measures might be the last possibility left. His satirical measures are amusing and well thought out; he lists all of the advantages of cannibalism and defends his argument against those who might protest. What is also amusing is Swift's humble tone. He gives his satirical argument more power by sounding humble and innocent to the atrocious idea of eating babies. Swift's use of shock is a terrific way to gain attention, and the argument for consuming children is well crafted and effective because he grabs a reader's interest with introducing the idea of cannibalism and discussing all of cannibalism's positive points.
Also, by using a satirical explicit argument, Swift makes his implicit argument of the poverty plight more obvious. Making his proposal later in the argument, Swift lures people to continue reading while he gives briefs of how horrific the poverty problem is. Before he discusses his proposal he points out all of the traumatic sights of poverty. Swift begins with writing, "It is a melancholy object to those who walk the great streets of this town, when they see the streets, the roads, crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags and importuning every passenger for an alms." By pointing out the sadness of destitution, Swift begins his implicit argument before his explicit argument, and focuses on the serious issue before the satirical issue. Swift excellently discusses his implicit argument and effectively moves readers with a serious issue while discussing an absurd issue.
Swift further promotes his explicit argument by writing six great advantages, and he lists the advantages near the end of the argument. In the points he makes, Swift also relates to his implicit argument by again noting how dismal poverty is. For example, Swift's second point listed is, "The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to distress and help pay their landlord's rent, their corn and cattle already being seized and money a thing unknown." Swift refers to the lives of the poor and how desperate they are for money. He writes about their corn and cattle being stolen, and claims that their children are a possible source for income if his idea is implanted in Ireland. Swift does an excellent job of defending his appalling proposal and including his implicit argument as well.
In the end, Swift completes his goal effectively by relating a serious topic in Ireland with satirical devices. Swift keeps his readers intent on his argument and at the same time ties in the serious issue of poverty and how detrimental the need for help is. He defends his proposal with valid points even though the whole idea is preposterous, and effectively expresses his implicit argument through his explicit argument. Swift's argument is very clear and well constructed, and he certainly proves that he does have "method to his madness."