The Swifts

The most striking element of “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift is its morbidity. Humor cannot get much darker. By suggesting eating a “carcass of a good fat child” or using its skin for “gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen,” Swift’s very “modest” proposal becomes a classic and timeless satirical work. Despite being written in the 1700’s, the ironic and dark style he uses in “A Modest Proposal” is seen in deadpan comedy and morbid humor centuries later. Satire, sit-coms, and even songs demonstrate their Swiftian influences. As you may have guessed, it’s time to pick a musical example. Of course, when reading about cannibalism, The Smiths come to mind. Just kidding, this is probably one of the most vegan bands to ever exist. Their album “Meat Is Murder” would definitely conflict with Swift’s proposal. However, one of the most distinguishable features of The Smiths’ songs is their dark humor. This week’s sample is titled “Bigmouth Strikes Again” (1987). With an opening line like, “sweetness I was only joking when I said I’d like to smash every tooth in your head,” you can’t help but laugh. But it is so horrible at the same time. Even better, the song continues to mention being “bludgeoned in your bed.” What I’ve come to realize is with sardonic and sarcastic tones in songs, essays, whatever, it seems as though you can get away with saying very offensive things by labeling it as “satire.” Is Jonathan Swift really a misogynist? Does he really suggest fixing the economy by eating babies? Can we really ever be sure? In the song “Girlfriend in a Coma,” Morrissey says, “There were times when I could have murdered her.” Is the ironic tone of the song and all their work in general enough to assure us he’s just being funny? Although I’ll always be a little suspicious of Swift’s essay really being An Honest Proposal, his reputation is enough to appease the conspiracy theory side of me.