In this module, consider everything you’ve been assigned to read, study, and contemplate on the subject of narrative (stories). Post at least one S.E.E.-I.T. paragraph that reflects upon the tension or problem between one individual character and her/his community in one of your readings. In your response, you must clearly identify BOTH (1.) the source of the tension (where does it originate?) and (2.) steps taken by the character(s) that lead to resolution. Is resolution achieved, even if flawed? Why, or why not, and how?
Individuality versus Community – A Modest Proposal by Dr Jonathan Swift
Individuality versus Community – A Modest Proposal by Dr Jonathan Swift
For this discussion, I chose the reading” A Modest Proposal” by Dr Jonathan Swift. Tension builds up in a society when a problem arises between an individual and a community. Individuals act in their own accord without considering the effects of their behaviors on society. In the reading, Dr Jonathan Swift points out the tension caused by beggars against their communities in Ireland.
The increase in the number of street families and children created tension in society. The children who did not have well to do parents would turn to begging and robbery to get money for food. Their families couldn’t support them, making Ireland’s streets appear clogged with beggars, which did not please other well-to-do members of that community. Dr Jonathan Swift, therefore, wrote a proposal to rectify and correct this issue.
His proposal involved reducing the number of beggars by collecting infants from struggling parents. The street children arise from street families and from low-income families that couldn’t support their children. He argued that one-year-old infants would be the best children to invest in. Moreover, these infants would be fed and nourished while their parents would be paid. The results of his proposal would clear the streets overcrowded by beggars.
The proposal also documents the lives of the infants after they were acquired. Some of the infants would be sold, while some would be used as breeders, and others would be used as a source of food. This proposal would clear all beggars on the streets by giving the street families homes and taking the burden of providing for their children off the table.
To conclude, Dr Jonathan Swift’s proposal would produce a resolution to the problems facing communities in Ireland. Although some of the proposal’s details do not sit well with me, I give him credit for his opinions and thoughts during his time.
Work Cited
Swift, Jonathan. “A Modest Proposal For Preventing The Children Of Poor People From Being A Burthen To Their Parents Or Country, And For Making Them Beneficial To The Public.” Child & Youth Care Forum, vol 24, no. 1, 1995, pp. 5-12. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, doi.org/10.1007/bf02125026.