A Tale of a TubThe Floating Press, 2009 M12 1 - 220 pages Jump into Jonathan Swift's take-no-prisoners parody of seventeenth-century Christianity. Equal parts uproarious humor and incisive satire, A Tale of a Tub dissects the foibles and shortcomings of three brothers, each of whom represents a different branch of the Christian religion. Swift, himself a clergyman, sealed his reputation as one of England's most ruthless -- and notorious -- satirists with the book's publication. It's a thought-provoking and rollicking read whether you're a believer or a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 11
Page 11
... late reign; and that is another reason why I would forbear to make a recital of them here; because I have been told by wise men that as dedications have run for some years past, a good historian will not be apt to have recourse thither ...
... late reign; and that is another reason why I would forbear to make a recital of them here; because I have been told by wise men that as dedications have run for some years past, a good historian will not be apt to have recourse thither ...
Page 22
... as other young princes have already done by the many volumes of late years written for a help to their studies. That your Highness may advance in wisdom and virtue, as well as years, and at last outshine all your 22.
... as other young princes have already done by the many volumes of late years written for a help to their studies. That your Highness may advance in wisdom and virtue, as well as years, and at last outshine all your 22.
Page 24
... late upon certain projects for taking off the force and edge of those formidable inquirers from canvassing and reasoning upon such delicate points. They have at length fixed upon one, which will require some time as well as cost to ...
... late upon certain projects for taking off the force and edge of those formidable inquirers from canvassing and reasoning upon such delicate points. They have at length fixed upon one, which will require some time as well as cost to ...
Page 32
... late satirists seem to lie under a sort of mistake, that because nettles have the prerogative to sting, therefore all other weeds must do so too. I make not this comparison out of the least design to detract from these worthy writers ...
... late satirists seem to lie under a sort of mistake, that because nettles have the prerogative to sting, therefore all other weeds must do so too. I make not this comparison out of the least design to detract from these worthy writers ...
Page 46
... be adopted a member of that illustrious fraternity. Now, I am not unaware how the productions of the Grub Street brotherhood have of late years fallen under many prejudices, nor how it has been the perpetual employment of 46.
... be adopted a member of that illustrious fraternity. Now, I am not unaware how the productions of the Grub Street brotherhood have of late years fallen under many prejudices, nor how it has been the perpetual employment of 46.
Contents
5 | |
7 | |
13 | |
15 | |
24 | |
39 | |
Section II | 56 |
Section III A Digression Concerning Critics | 72 |
Section VIII A Tale of a Tub | 129 |
Section IX A Digression Concerning the Original the Use and Improvement of Madness in a Commonwealth | 139 |
Section X A Farther Digression | 158 |
Section XI A Tale of a Tub | 166 |
The Conclusion | 184 |
The History of Martin | 190 |
A Digression on the Nature Usefulness and Necessity of Wars and Quarrels | 197 |
The History of Martin Continued | 200 |
Section IV A Tale of a Tub | 86 |
Section V A Digression in the Modern Kind | 102 |
Section VI A Tale of a Tub | 111 |
Section VII A Digression in Praise of Digressions | 121 |
A Project for the Universal Benefit of Mankind | 203 |
Endnotes | 207 |
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Common terms and phrases
adventures AEolists affirm allowed ancient body bookseller brain brethren brother called chiefly Church Church of England coats common commonwealth of learning consider Ctesias curious deduced Digression discourse ears embroidery endeavours Epicurus especially extremely eyes famous fashion father's fly furnish further give gold lace Gresham College hand hath head Herodotus Highness honour human imagination influence invention Jack Jack's justly landlord learned Lord Peter Lordship Lucretius madness mankind Martin matter means method modems modern nature never noble nose observed occasion original panegyric Paracelsus Pausanias perpetual person perusal philosophers piece preface present pretended proceed proceeding produce profound reason refined reflecting resolved Scythian sometimes spleen talent Terra Australis incognita things thought treatise true critic turn universal vapour Westminster Hall wherein whereof whoever whole wholly wind wonderful word writers