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From the author responsible for the satirical work of genius, A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift's A Tale of a Tub is an allegorical work that follows three brothers after the event of their father's death. When their father, who meant to be God, dies, the three brothers, Peter, Martin and Jack, inherit his will and each receive a decorative coat. Their father also leaves them instruction not to alter these coats in any way because doing so would be damaging for their futures. Despite this warning, the brothers not only quickly make alterations, they also police each other for their choices. Each brother represents one of the major branches of Christianity. Peter, who represents the Roman Catholic church, is the first to change the coat left to him in the will. He adds many embellishments, claiming that the garment is better because of it. Jack, who represents the Protestant church, and Martin, who represents Anglicans, follow their brother's lead and also add to the coats. Their actions lead to arguments between the brothers, each feeling that they know what's best for the coats. Feeling like they are being controlled by Peter, Jack and Martin reject him, and then try to undo the alterations made to their garments, furthering the damage to the clothing and to their relationship with each other.
Jonathan Swift created an allegory for the Reformation in his story of the three brothers. With satire and frank representation of the branches of Christianity, A Tale of a Tub addresses issues concerning society's effect on religion, polluting the original message of its creator. Swift's satire on the three major branches of Christianity was very controversial and though he wrote under a pseudonym, A Tale of a Tub was traced back to Swift. Even by modern standards, A Tale of a Tub invites controversial conversation that is both relevant and compelling.
This edition of Jonathan Swift's A Tale of a Tub features an eye-catching cover design and is printed in a modern font to appeal to a contemporary audience.
About the author
Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish satirist, author, essayist, political pamphleteer (first for the Whigs, then for the Tories), poet, and Anglican cleric. He rose to the position of dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, earning him the moniker "Dean Swift." He lived from 30 November 1667 to 19 October 1745. A Tale of a Tub (1704), An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity (1712), Gulliver's Travels (1726), and A Modest Proposal are among Swift's best-known writings (1729). He first published all of his works anonymously or using aliases, such as Lemuel Gulliver, Isaac Bickerstaff, and M. B. Drapier. He was a master of the Horatian and Juvenalian satirical genres. His writing is deadpan and sardonic, especially in "A Modest Proposal", which is why such satire has come to be known as "Swiftian." On November 30, 1667, in Dublin, in the Kingdom of Ireland, Jonathan Swift was born. He was the only son and the second child of Frisby on the Wreake residents Jonathan Swift (1640-1667) and Abigail Erick (or Herrick). After 1700, Swift lived in Trim, County Meath. Many of his works were written by him at this time. Swift graduated with a Doctor of Divinity degree from Trinity College Dublin in February 1702.
Summary
From the author responsible for the satirical work of genius, A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift’s A Tale of a Tub is an allegorical work that follows three brothers after the event of their father’s death. When their father, who meant to be God, dies, the three brothers, Peter, Martin and Jack, inherit his will and each receive a decorative coat. Their father also leaves them instruction not to alter these coats in any way because doing so would be damaging for their futures. Despite this warning, the brothers not only quickly make alterations, they also police each other for their choices. Each brother represents one of the major branches of Christianity. Peter, who represents the Roman Catholic church, is the first to change the coat left to him in the will. He adds many embellishments, claiming that the garment is better because of it. Jack, who represents the Protestant church, and Martin, who represents Anglicans, follow their brother’s lead and also add to the coats. Their actions lead to arguments between the brothers, each feeling that they know what’s best for the coats. Feeling like they are being controlled by Peter, Jack and Martin reject him, and then try to undo the alterations made to their garments, furthering the damage to the clothing and to their relationship with each other.
Jonathan Swift created an allegory for the Reformation in his story of the three brothers. With satire and frank representation of the branches of Christianity, A Tale of a Tub addresses issues concerning society’s effect on religion, polluting the original message of its creator. Swift’s satire on the three major branches of Christianity was very controversial and though he wrote under a pseudonym, A Tale of a Tub was traced back to Swift. Even by modern standards, A Tale of a Tub invites controversial conversation that is both relevant and compelling.
This edition of Jonathan Swift’s A Tale of a Tub features an eye-catching cover design and is printed in a modern font to appeal to a contemporary audience.
