How does Swift address the theme of war in “Gulliver's Travels”?

Swift addresses the theme of war in “Gulliver's Travels” through the absurdities of the Lilliputian conflict with Blefuscu. In the story, the war between the two miniature nations is portrayed as trivial and ridiculous, highlighting the pettiness of human conflicts. The reasons for their warfare stem from a seemingly absurd disagreement over the proper way to break eggs, symbolizing how often wars are fought over minor grievances or foolish disagreements.

By exaggerating the conflict between the Lilliputians and the Blefuscudians, Swift critiques the nature of real-world warfare, suggesting that many historical conflicts are similarly less about substantive issues and more about pride and absurdity. This absurd lens invites readers to reflect on the irrationality of their own society's wars and to question the motivations behind such violence. The focus on the triviality of the reasons for war serves as a satirical commentary on the often ridiculous nature of political disagreements and military confrontations in the real world.