Povestea unui poloboc

Jonathan Swift’s Povestea unui poloboc mocks pride and blind faith. It is a satire, which uses wit to mock faults. It takes aim at excess in faith and poor writing. Its scope spans works of prose and verse, and politics. It also covers the study of God, the Bible, and medicine.

Swift wrote it in England in the seventeenth century. Faith and politics had close ties, so his barbs struck both. The book made him famous, but readers often misread his aim. Many thought he meant to attack faith itself. Queen Anne was among those who felt it showed scorn for God.

Andrei Brezianu ranks it among Swift’s best works. He singles out the skill in its complex form. He also notes its appeal to readers today.