Babies...?

When I first found out that we were going to read A Modest Proposal  by Jonathon Swift I wasn't sure how I felt about it.  I had been told by several students and friends that it was a bit disturbing.  I had no idea what they meant by this until I got to the part about eating infants in a roast.  I don't know how anyone could think that eating babies would some how change poverty and hunger. I don't understand how anyone could even suggest eating a baby.  I don't have a baby of my own, but I have a nephew and the thought of someone eating him makes me want to vomit. Swift talked about beggars plumping up their one year old babies to sell them to rich Irish men.  He also discussed how he thought this would resolve several problems in the Kingdom of Ireland.  What is with this?  How would buying a baby to eat solve problems in the Kingdom of Ireland? I think that this would just make things in the Kingdom worse and not better. What is up with this "I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that 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 fricasie, or a ragoust."  Talking about a child being put in a stew or roasted....?     Thinking about eating any part of a human being is revolting to me, but a baby really? I am excited for class tomorrow because I am really looking forward to seeing how this relates to our class discussions.      

After having class on Monday and rereading The Modest Proposal I have a different view on this.  I caught the satire the first time I read it, but after reading it the second time it is much more apparent.  Also, I read the historical context and I realize that Swift just was proposing this to improve the conditions in Ireland and it wouldn't happen.