Final answer:
In 'A Modest Proposal,' the poor are viewed as a burden and a nuisance to society, with the satirical solution to sell the poor's children as food. The essay criticizes the dehumanizing attitudes toward poverty and suggests the need for genuine solutions. Views and methods of helping the poor have evolved since the 19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Jonathan Swift's satirical essay A Modest Proposal, society views the poor mostly as b) a burden and a nuisance. Swift's text sarcastically suggests that the children of the poor could be sold as food to alleviate poverty and reduce their burden on society.
This darkly ironic suggestion is meant to criticize contemporary attitudes and the failure to provide humane solutions for poverty. The proposal captures the era's complex attitudes towards the poor, highlighting the indifference and dehumanization they faced.
The 19th-century views on poverty and ways to assist the poor were varied, with some advocating for self-discipline and moral uplift, while others believed in the inherent inability of the poor to improve their situation.
Historical figures like Samuel Smiles advocated for self-improvement, whereas Herbert Spencer's Social Darwinism viewed attempts to help the poor as futile.
Societal views on helping the poor have evolved, with current approaches including government aid, non-profit organizations, and various social services aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty.