Question

Why does Swift state that older children won't be used for food or used to replace the dwindling deer population for sport hunting by the upper classes?

Answer 1

Jonathan Swift satirically refutes the suggestion to use older children for food or sport hunting due to the inefficiencies of fattening them and potential public perceptions of cruelty.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Jonathan Swift's satirical work, A Modest Proposal, Swift argues against the suggestion that older children could be used as food or for sport hunting to replace the decreased deer population. Swift reasons that the flesh of males would be tough and lean due to their continual exercise, and thus not cost-effective to fatten for consumption.

Furthermore, Swift adds that females would be a loss to the public as potential breeders and acknowledges that such practices would likely stir up controversy and be seen as cruel by some, despite the intentions behind them.

These comments are meant to satirize the disregard for human life and the extreme proposhttps of some so-called 'practical' solutions to social problems, reflecting Swift's critique of the British policies toward the poor in Ireland during his time.