What is the purpose of Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal"?

The purpose of Jonathan Swift's anonymous essay "A Modest Proposal" was to help poor children in Ireland with the hope that they would be of service to the public one day. He did not want the children to be a burden to Ireland or their parents.

Swift, rather than delivering his point of view in a direct manner, presented his proposal in a satirical manner. Beginning with the plight of children in Ireland, mentioning how many of them are beggars, he goes on to give his solution using satire. This is done with Swift suggesting that young children be sold as food especially to rich people, mentioning how, they might add to the variety of meals, through different preparation methods.