In “A Modest Proposal” author Jonathan  Swift, using both Horace and Juvenal methods, is  attempting to draw attention to the ridiculous and ineffectual approach  of dealing with poverty, famine and overpopulation by proposing that most all of society’s ills can be addressed and negated by selling off the numerous infants of the poor to provide economic relief, a nutritive source of sustenance for the affluent and reduced stain on the economy by turning the liability of so many unproductive infants, toddlers and children into a resource for consumption locally and abroad.

By proposing even more ridiculous and grotesque solutions to the challenge and arguing their merit using a logical appeal, Swift is speaking to the affluent of the day and bringing them into the solution by arguing that they can be the benevolent and wise deliverers of the many ills Irish society is facing in early 1700’s. 

Though swift does make his point he undermines his potential effectiveness by reintegrating his solution and its benefits to extreme length.  The extremity of his proposal gives the impression that he is presenting it out of the shear frustration over the immensity of the situation; almost to the effect of seeming to whine about the circumstances as opposed to making efforts to effect change.