"A Tale of a Tub" by Jonathan Swift

Hello Everyone 🤠

This blog is in response to the thinking task assigned by Vaidehi Ma'am.

Check the task : Click here

Introduction : 

Jonathan Swift's "A Tale of a Tub" is an old but awesome book that makes fun of religion and politics. It's like a riddle with three brothers and a coat. In this blog, we'll look at what makes this book cool, talk about its style, and why it's still interesting today.

Q.1

How far do you think Digression is necessary?

I think Digression is very necessary inA Tale of a Tub as well as in life.

So firstly let's discuss how digression is necessary in "A Tale of a Tub": 

 The digressions found within "A Tale of a Tub" play a crucial role in Swift's satirical and meaningful narrative. They enable Swift to delve into a diverse array of subjects related to the main story, expanding the scope of his satire and offering a more thorough critique of human folly.

Example :

For Example, the "Digression on Madness" extensively examines the blurred lines between reason and insanity, shedding light on the behaviors of the three brothers in the main narrative, each driven by their unique forms of madness.

Equally significant is the "Digression on Critics," where Swift criticizes his contemporaneous critics for their pedantic and narrow-minded approach. This digression not only provides insight into Swift's satirical intentions but also acts as a pre-emptive response to his anticipated critics.

Beyond their relevance to the main narrative, these digressions are notable for their humor and entertainment value. Swift's mastery of satire is evident in these sections through clever wordplay, irony, and parody, making them both informative and enjoyable to read.

In short we can say that, the digressions in "A Tale of a Tub" are indispensable to Swift's satire, allowing him to explore a wide array of topics, deliver a comprehensive critique of human folly, and captivate his readers with wit and humor.

 

In Life :

In simpler terms, think of digression as taking a scenic route in a conversation or in our life journey. It's when you momentarily veer away from your main topic or planned path to explore something different. Although it might seem like a distraction, digressions often prove to be vital in life.

Consider a chat with a friend. You kick off by discussing a movie you watched, but soon you find yourselves delving into details about the actor, then their career, and before you know it, you're talking about travel experiences or food. This departure from your initial movie talk is a digression.

In life, digressions come into play when unexpected opportunities or challenges arise. You may have a clear plan, but when something unforeseen pops up, you choose to investigate it. This detour can lead to fresh experiences, knowledge, and even a shift in your life's course.

Digressions hold importance because they inject diversity and enrichment into our conversations and life experiences. They empower us to explore new ideas, gain different viewpoints, and add zest to life. Sometimes, these diversions even unearth valuable insights or prospects that we would have missed if we rigidly adhered to our original path.

In essence, while maintaining focus and direction in life is crucial, being open to some digressions can make the journey more satisfying and exhilarating. So, don't always shy away from taking a little detour in your conversations or life plans; you never know where it might lead you.

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Question 2 :

Identify any one movie/web series/song/poem/novel which talks about the sensitive topic like religion. Write in brief about it and explain what kind questions are raised through that work.

Ans.:

We can identify the movie 'PK' as the film that discusses sensitive topics like religion. So let's talk about the movie...

PK (2014)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Satir

Director:  Rajkumar Hirani

Starring. : Aamir Khan, 

                Anushka Sharma,

               Sushant Singh Rajput, 

               Sanjay Dutt

Plot:

The story of the movie is very interesting. The movie PK starts with a spectacular scene of a spaceship landing in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India. An alien named PK (Aamir Khan) lands on Earth on a research mission. However, his remote control device, which allows him to communicate with his spaceship, is stolen. Stranded on Earth, PK begins to explore the world around him. He is fascinated by human behavior, but he is also confused by many of the things he sees.

PK is particularly puzzled by religion. He sees people praying to different gods and goddesses, and he wonders why they do this. He also sees people engaging in various rituals, and he doesn't understand the meaning behind them.

In his quest to understand religion, PK meets Jaggu (Anushka Sharma), a young woman who is disillusioned with love. Jaggu helps PK to learn about the different religions of the world. However, PK's innocent questions about religion often offend people. He is accused of being blasphemous and is even attacked by religious fanatics.

Despite the challenges he faces, PK continues to seek answers to his questions. He eventually comes to the conclusion that religion is not about following rules or rituals. It is about having a personal relationship with God.

PK's journey leads him to confront religious hypocrisy and to challenge the authority of religious figures. He also learns about the power of love and forgiveness.

In the end, PK is able to find his way back to his home planet. However, he leaves behind a message of hope and understanding. He encourages people to question their beliefs and to open their minds to the possibility of a world without religious conflict.

Themes:

In the film PK we can find that the film explores the sensitive topic of religion through the eyes of an outsider, who is not bound by any particular belief system.

PK questions the blind faith and hypocrisy that can exist within organized religion.

The film also promotes the idea of tolerance and understanding between different religions.

Critical reception:

PK was a critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of all time. The film was praised for its humor, its social commentary, and its performances.

Controversy:

PK was also controversial, with some religious groups accusing it of being offensive to their beliefs. However, the film's director, Rajkumar Hirani, has defended the film, saying that it is not meant to offend anyone, but rather to encourage people to think critically about religion.

In brief, PK is a thought-provoking film that tackles the sensitive topic of religion in a humorous and engaging way.

Impact :

PK is a film that has stayed with many people long after they have seen it. It is a film that raises important questions about the role of religion in society, and it encourages viewers to think for themselves.

What kind questions are raised through that work :

I had several question which raised through the movie:

1st of all I had questions that

Q.1 How police constable allows  Jaggu to meet PK repeatedly? 😅

Q.2 

Conclusion :

So, we can say that "A Tale of a Tub" is like a really old funny story that makes fun of religion and politics. Even though it's super old, it's still funny and makes us think about these things today. It's a reminder that funny stories can teach us about how people act, whether they're smart or a bit silly, no matter when they lived.