Tale of a Tub

A Tale of a Tub is a prose satire by Jonathan Swift that alternates between an allegory of three brothers—Peter (Catholic Church), Martin (Anglican Church), and Jack (Puritan dissenters)—who inherit coats from their father with instructions not to alter them, yet progressively add fashionable decorations representing corruption of original Christianity.

Interspersed with digressions criticizing modern authors, critics, and religious divisions, the work uses the brothers' quarrels and Peter's tyranny to mock religious infighting, extremism, and the misinterpretation of scripture.

Swift defends the Church of England through Martin's moderation while attacking extremes on both Catholic and dissenting sides.