A truly dazzling display of wit unfolds before us. However, it is so extremely dry that it almost seems to stick in the throat a little. Despite the occasional flights of whimsy that manage to break through, they are not quite enough to fully overcome the overall dryness. This work has endured the passage of centuries, and as a result, it has been removed from its immediate context. Now, its ironies are to be appreciated in a more intellectual sense, rather than simply enjoyed in a straightforward way. We must approach it with a certain degree of detachment and analysis to truly understand and value the cleverness and subtleties that lie within.

It is a piece that requires careful study and reflection to fully grasp its true essence and significance. The passage of time has both enhanced and complicated our perception of it, making it a fascinating and somewhat enigmatic work of art.

I have embarked on this book on multiple occasions, constantly pondering that perhaps I was a fool for not being able to fathom its contents.

Each time I picked it up, I had high hopes of finally understanding the essence within its pages. However, after three attempts, I have now completed it, only to find myself completely at a loss.

The words on the pages seem to dance around, eluding my comprehension and leaving me with a sense of confusion and dissatisfaction.

It is abundantly clear to me that this book is simply not meant for me. I did not find any joy or connection within its narrative.

Perhaps it is a masterpiece for others, but for me, it remains an enigma that I am content to leave未解.

A Tale of a Tub by Jonathan Swift is quite possibly some of the best satirical work I've ever read. The easy historical index at the beginning is extremely helpful for those who may not be as well-versed in Irish and European history as others. In fact, the entire introduction provides the reader with an informative setup for the anthology.

Even as just a passerby to Swift's work, Tale of a Tub was truly delightful. The tongue-in-cheek satire is mainly directed towards the noble and royal classes, offering direct insights into daily life. However, Swift doesn't spare anyone from his humor. He often aims biting sarcasm at what he seems to view as the willingly undereducated and willfully ignorant, highlighting what appears to be his most highly valued attribute - intelligence.

It is a worthy read, although I might not choose to pick it up for a re-read anytime soon. A Tale of a Tub should definitely be on the list of anyone who enjoys satire and comedy, both dark and light, and intelligent insights into the actions of man. It offers a unique perspective on society and human nature that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Swift's parody of the Christian church schism, along with his take on authors, booksellers, wisdom, and who is intelligent, and the political and religious culture surrounding him, is wickedly funny.

However, it must be admitted that there are also really boring spots within it. But the funny parts are truly hilarious, even now, more than 300 years later.

Having a little knowledge about the context of the time can be helpful in fully appreciating the work, but it is not entirely necessary.

As for the food, it was a fried chicken sandwich that was a little overcooked and lacked sufficient mayonnaise. A few bites felt a little dry.

Overall, while Swift's work has its flaws, its humor still manages to shine through, and the description of the food adds an interesting touch to the overall narrative.

Holy Satire

16 February 2020 - Wallaroo


Swift's work clearly caused a significant stir, to the extent that he was denied a bishopric for upsetting the monarch. It makes one wonder why this was so, especially as he favored the Church of England. However, as is typical of Swift, his writing requires in-depth exploration and an understanding of the era's events. While Gulliver’s Travels is more accessible than this particular piece, much of its political commentary may be lost on modern readers.


The story revolves around three boys, Peter, Martin, and Jack, representing the founders of three branches of the churches in England. Peter symbolizes the Roman Catholic church, Martin represents the Church of England established by Henry VIII, and Jack stands for John Calvin and the dissenting church. Swift, a pastor of the Church of England, had a bias, but he was never afraid to criticize institutions, including his employer. He saw problems with the extremes of Christianity, with the Roman Catholic church being overly traditional and the dissenters going too far in the other direction.


Today, we may still see such extremes. Some people reject almost everything out of fear of condemnation. Swift advocated for the church to return to a middle ground, where people are not condemned for not following a specific way and where religious beliefs are not forced upon others. Baptism is a controversial topic, with some churches rejecting infant baptism. There are also concerns about theocratic states and religious discrimination laws, which seem to legalize hate speech. The story gets stranger as the three brothers are given coats representing the practice of Christianity and a will representing the Bible. Peter adds to the robe and ignores the will, pressuring his brothers to do the same. The issue of indulgences further complicates matters. It's all about the problems of adding to the scriptures and interpreting them. The Reformation has led to a fractured religious landscape, with different churches still holding significant power. There's much more to discuss, but for now, let's leave it here, with the note that the tub is a reference to the pulpit used by dissenters and also a lifeboat.

This is a dense and brilliant little book that is truly a joy to delve into.

It's quite astonishing to realize just how much of the satire within it amounts to elaborate burp and fart jokes.

The content constantly had me reacting in a way similar to the Antonio Banderas Computer gif.

It's a unique and engaging read that manages to blend humor and satire in a rather unexpected and entertaining way.

Despite the somewhat juvenile nature of some of the jokes, the overall quality of the writing and the depth of the satire make this book a worthwhile exploration.

It's not often that a book can make you laugh out loud while also making you think about deeper issues.

This one definitely has that ability, and it's a refreshing change from the more traditional forms of literature.

I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and engaging read that doesn't take itself too seriously.

I would have relished this book to a much greater extent had it not been for three particular aspects. Firstly, Swift's interminable digressions. I am aware that they were crafted with a purpose, namely to mock other writers. However, they often disrupted the flow of the narrative and made it a bit of a challenge to fully engage. This leads me to the second point. I simply don't possess sufficient knowledge about the subjects that Swift satirized. As a result, I'm certain there were many excellent and incisive points that I failed to appreciate fully. And finally, Swift's tone is far too aggressive for my personal liking. I have the distinct impression that in real life, he would be the sort of individual who would transform every discussion into a verbal skirmish. He wouldn't be content until everyone either concurred with him or was vanquished by his arguments, ultimately leading to people ceasing to communicate with him.

This sentence, "this seemed to have taken me a thousand years to read I feel like the stupidest woman alive", really struck a chord with me.

It made me think about how sometimes we can feel so frustrated and inadequate when faced with certain tasks or situations.

Reading something that is difficult or complex can indeed seem to take an eternity, and it's easy to start doubting our own intelligence and abilities.

But you know what? Feeling stupid doesn't mean we actually are.

It's just a momentary emotion that can pass.

We should give ourselves some credit and realize that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.

Maybe this particular task is not our forte, but that doesn't mean we're not capable in other areas.

Instead of beating ourselves up, we should try to approach the situation with a positive attitude and look for ways to improve.

With a little perseverance and determination, we can overcome any obstacle and become the best version of ourselves.

3.5/5

Some bits were genuinely very interesting and funny despite my lack of context.

For example, there were certain passages that made me laugh out loud, even though I didn't fully understand the background or all the references.

However, others...I could feel myself zoning out.

This was especially the case with the last of Swift's pieces. I had no idea what was going on.

The language was so complex and the ideas so convoluted that I just couldn't keep up.

I'm sure studying some bits of Tale will help with that a bit.

It might give me a better understanding of the overall context and the specific literary devices that Swift was using.

Hopefully, that will make it easier for me to appreciate the full beauty and depth of his work.

But for now, I'll just have to keep reading and trying to make sense of it all.

\\"A Tale of a Tub\\" is truly a remarkable piece of work that reveals its deeper charms and nuances upon a second reading.

The first encounter with this literary gem may have left one with a certain impression, but it is only upon revisiting that one discovers the true extent of its brilliance.

The story weaves a complex web of characters and events, each one contributing to the overall tapestry in a unique and fascinating way.

The language used is rich and vivid, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

The author's ability to create such a detailed and engaging world is truly a testament to their skill and talent.

Moreover, the themes explored in \\"A Tale of a Tub\\" are timeless and relevant, making it a work that can be enjoyed and appreciated by readers of all ages and backgrounds.

In conclusion, \\"A Tale of a Tub\\" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature, and it is a work that will continue to delight and inspire readers for generations to come.

Jonathan Swift is indeed a remarkable satirist.

If I were a contemporary of his or had a better understanding of the issues he was ridiculing, perhaps I would have had a greater appreciation for this book. However, this short work is filled with lengthy digressions that target organized religion or potentially the government.

I must confess that around the halfway point, I became completely disoriented and was truly unable to follow his mockery.

If I had been reading this book in print, I would have used a bookmark to save my place and set it aside to revisit at a later time, perhaps after learning more about the era. But this was a book I had subscribed to through Daily Lit, which delivers installments daily via email.

This is the second book I've attempted to read in this manner, and I have to say that this reading format simply doesn't suit me. The installments are all of the same length, so at times I found myself desiring to read more or wanting to step away and then come back to the book. But once I was halfway through a long email, I felt compelled to finish it, and it felt more like trudging through required reading rather than reading for enjoyment.

I was truly looking forward to this. I vividly remember having a great liking for Gulliver's Travels, and in fact, I am actually planning to reread it in the near future. However, to my disappointment, I found each of the items included here to be ponderous and just too distant for me to fully appreciate. It probably doesn't assist matters that Swift had certain issues with the Quakers, which don't present him in his most favorable light, although this is only evident in one or two passages. Occasionally, I was able to catch a glimpse of the intended humor, but overall, this was simply not to my taste. I really had to exert a great deal of effort and push myself to get through it.