The Not so Deadly Sin Comparison Paper

Sharon Tate once said, “Everything that’s realistic has some sort of ugliness in it” (BrainyQuote). Through the problem/solution structure used in essays written by Jonathan Swift and Barbara Kingsolver, the ugly side of realistic solutions is exemplified. In Jonathan Swifts essay “A Modest Proposal”, the problem of the famine in Ireland is addressed, followed by a very disturbing solution. Swift proposes that to solve this problem, the citizens of Ireland should use human babies for food. Although this proposal is quite unethical, the author proves it to be realistic through the use of logical reasoning to support his idea. In the essay “The Not-So-Deadly Sin” by Barbara Kingsolver, a different approach is taken to prove the solution proposed is realistic. In the essay, Kingsolver illustrates the power of lies and the fact that people expect a lie to be ones’ truth. Since people are so vulnerable to lies, Kingsolver proposes that to solve this problem, one should simply take advantage of this fact. Kingsolver applies her personal experiences to the issue, thus proving that her solution is realistic. Therefore, in both essays the authors present a realistic solution to a specific issue.

In the essay, “A Modest Proposal” Jonathan Swift proves that his solution to the famine in Ireland is realistic through the use of logical reasoning. Swift argues that by eating the babies in Ireland, the struggling parents will no longer have the burden of providing for their young. Swift illustrates this when he states, “Fourthly, the constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings per annum by the sale of the children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year” (Swift 289). Thus, one of the consequences of the famine is eliminated. The parents, instead of becoming poorer from having to support their children, become richer. Not only are these individuals relieved of the burden of providing for their young, but they also gain income by selling