Orwell states he is not fond of the Burmese people but he believes they are being treated wrong by the British. So in this symbolic essay Orwell relates his feelings to an event that took place while he was serving in Burma. "One day something happened which in a roundabout way was enlightening. It was a tiny incident in itself but it gave me a better glimpse than I had had before of the real nature of imperialism-the real motive for which act." (Orwell 925) Though the message may be understood, the purpose of his essay is unclear. Is he writing this for himself or to communicate his feelings on imperialism to the public? Without knowing the true purpose of this essay it would be difficult to call "Shooting an Elephant" an effective piece.
In "A Modest Proposal", Jonathan Swift makes his intentions clear in the beginning of his essay. Swift states that Ireland has a problem with poverty, and throughout the essay he goes on to give a solution to this problem. By Swift proposing a solution to this problem, no matter how ridiculous it may be, he is suggesting that something needs to be done. Swift implies that Imperialism is what is holding Ireland back and keeping them from thriving as a country. George Orwell and Jonathan Swift approach their writings on imperialism in different purposeful ways, but because Swift evidently expresses his feelings of imperialism with his attention grabbing style and well-designed structure, his essay proves to be more effective.
Unlike Orwell, Jonathan Swift writes "A Modest Proposal" with an apparent message, as he addresses his audience and states his opinion on the economic state of Ireland due to imperialism. Throughout the entire body of the essay Swift uses satire with a ridiculous proposal that would most likely offend anyone that reads his essay. .
I propose to provide for them in such a manner as instead of being a charge upon their parents or the parish, or wanting food or raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall on the contrary contribute to the feeding, and partly to the clothing, of many thousands.
