The American

This mysterious character is mentioned only briefly. The Proposer met this character in London and mentioned that he is deeply educated. From his words we get one of the most famous quotes of ‘A Modest Proposal’: ‘a young healthy child, well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food; whether stewed, roasted, baked or boiled, and I make no doubt, that it will equally serve in a fricassee or ragout.’ With this words, Swift shows the idea of the gastronomical side of his satirical essay in most outrageous and cruel way. Also, this American suggests, relying on experience, that meat of boys is usually hard and skinny, because our schoolchildren are highly mobile and have an unpleasant aftertaste, and it would be too unprofitable to fatten them since it would not justify the expenditure.