Read this section from Chapter IV of Part I of Gulliver's Travels to analyze satire in the passage. What is Jonathan Swift poking fun at in this passage?

It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death, rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Many hundred large volumes have been published upon this controversy: but the books of the Big-endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party rendered incapable by law of holding employments. During the course of these troubles, the emperors of Blefuscu did frequently expostulate by their ambassadors, accusing us of making a schism in religion, by offending against a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet Lustrog, in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral (which is their Alcoran).

A) religious beliefs

B) farming practices in the late 1600s

C) discrimination against immigrants

D) the actions of ambassadors

Question

English

Aniyah Mckenzie

22 November, 13:34

Read this section from Chapter IV of Part I of Gulliver's Travels to analyze satire in the passage. What is Jonathan Swift poking fun at in this passage?

It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death, rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Many hundred large volumes have been published upon this controversy: but the books of the Big-endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party rendered incapable by law of holding employments. During the course of these troubles, the emperors of Blefuscu did frequently expostulate by their ambassadors, accusing us of making a schism in religion, by offending against a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet Lustrog, in the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral (which is their Alcoran).

A) religious beliefs

B) farming practices in the late 1600s

C) discrimination against immigrants

D) the actions of ambassadors

+1

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Martin Baker · Answer 1

A. religious beliefs

Explanation:

Jonathan Swift was an Irish 18th century writer, known as master satirist. In his works he criticized and mocked statesmen, society, politicians, religion etc.

In this particular passage, through wars between Lilliput and Blefuscu, Swift parodies wars between England and France, which were in a long religious conflict (Catholics vs. Protestants) about whose religion practice is correct.

Two states, in his book, are waging war on which side should an egg be broken, its big or little side.

Making analogy between these two, Swift is poking fun at religious beliefs by comparing them to a completely irrelevant and silly thing such is on which side should an egg be cracked.