What theme is prominently explored through Gulliver's encounters with different societies?

The theme prominently explored through Gulliver's encounters with different societies is the absurdity and flaws of human societies. Throughout "Gulliver's Travels," Jonathan Swift uses the various civilizations Gulliver visits—such as the tiny Lilliputians, the rational Houyhnhnms, and the brutish Yahoos—to highlight the inconsistencies, moral failings, and absurdities inherent in human nature and societal constructs.

Gulliver's observations serve to critique aspects of contemporary society, including politics, religion, and social norms. By depicting different societies with their unique customs and governance, Swift emphasizes how human beings often behave in illogical and irrational ways, showcasing the folly of their conventions and beliefs. This critical perspective invites readers to reflect on their own societies and the absurdities within them, making this theme prominent throughout the text. The other options may touch on relevant aspects of the narrative but do not encapsulate the overarching critique of human nature as effectively as this theme does.