AMAMIHE Journal of Applied Philosophy

This research investigates the use of satire as a means of exposing social and economic injustice in Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal and considers its significance within the context of contemporary Nigerian society. Guided by Marxist literary theory as a theoretical framework supported by Sociological Criticism, the study examines how Jonathan Swift employs ironic reasoning to criticize class inequality, the commodification of human life, and the indifference of political and economic elites to the suffering of the poor. Through close textual analysis, the paper situates the essay within the historical conditions of eighteenth-century Ireland and draws parallels with present-day Nigerian realities marked by widespread poverty, unequal distribution of resources and ineffective governance. The findings suggest that Jonathan Swift’s satirical method remains relevant as a critical lens for understanding persistent social problems in Nigeria. The study ultimately affirms literature’s capacity to challenge dominant power structures and stimulate critical reflection on issues of social responsibility and reform.

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