Which two mighty powers have … been engaged in a most obstinate war for six-
and-thirty moons past. It began upon the following occasion. It is allowed on all
hands, that the primitive way of breaking eggs, before we eat them, was upon the
larger end; but his present majesty’s grandfather, while he was a boy, going to eat
an egg, and breaking it according to the ancient practice, happened to cut one of his
fingers. Whereupon the emperor his father published an edict, commanding all his
subjects, upon great penalties, to break the smaller end of their eggs. The people
so highly resented this law, that our histories tell us, there have been six rebellions
raised on that account.
Which of the following best describes the point of Swift’s satire in this passage?
Group of answer choices
It supports the protection of religion at all costs.
It suggests that tradition should be respected, not undermined.
It indicates that wars originating from minor religious matters are ridiculous.
It implies that seemingly trivial matters can be fundamental to the health of a society.
