A Tale of a Tub by Jonathan Swift

Description

A Tale of a Tub is a book by Jonathan Swift, first published in 1704. This satirical prose work is one of Swift’s earliest and most complex writings, offering a scathing critique of religious excess, intellectual pretension, and the corruption of learning in early modern Europe. Framed as an allegory about three brothers—Peter, Martin, and Jack, who represent Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Protestant dissent respectively—the tale unfolds through a chaotic and often absurd narrative, interspersed with digressions that lampoon contemporary literary and philosophical trends. Written during a time of intense political and religious conflict in England, the book reflects Swift’s deep skepticism toward both institutional authority and the fashionable enthusiasm for modernity and "progress." Its biting wit and dense irony shocked many readers, leading to controversy over its perceived irreverence. Nevertheless, A Tale of a Tub remains a landmark of English satire, showcasing Swift’s unmatched command of parody and his enduring concern for truth, humility, and human folly. This edition was first published in 1889.

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