Tale of a Tub

A Tale of a Tub, written by Jonathan Swift between 1694 and 1697 and published in 1704, is a complex prose satire that critiques religious excess and the intertwining of politics and religion in early 18th-century England. The narrative follows three brothers, each symbolizing a branch of Western Christianity, while the digressions parody contemporary literature, politics, and theology. The work made Swift notorious and was often misunderstood, leading to significant repercussions for his career in the Church of England. It remains one of Swift's most notable and masterful allegories.