Final answer:
Jonathan Swift uses satire in his essay to criticize his subject and the political proposal, highlighting societal issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Jonathan Swift's essay, he uses satire to criticize both his subject and the political proposal itself. Satire is a literary technique that uses humor and irony to expose and criticize vices, follies, and shortcomings in society or individuals. Swift employs satire to mock the absurdity of the proposal he presents, which suggests that the impoverished Irish people should sell their children as food to the wealthy. By using satire, Swift highlights the extreme socioeconomic inequality and the dehumanization of the poor in Ireland.