"A Modest Proposal" is a satirical essay written by Jonathan Swift in 1729. In it, Swift suggests a shocking solution to the problem of poverty in Ireland by proposing that impoverished families sell their children as food to the wealthy. This extreme suggestion highlights the dire economic conditions and the indifference of the upper class towards the suffering of the poor. The essay uses irony and exaggeration to criticize both the British government and the societal attitudes of the time. Swift's proposal is not meant to be taken literally; instead, it serves to provoke thought and encourage readers to consider more humane solutions to social issues.