What does the emperor do with the stick in the ceremony?

The action of the emperor holding the stick as part of the competition is significant in the context of the ceremony described in Gulliver's Travels. The stick symbolizes authority and the formal nature of the proceedings, showcasing the emperor's role in presiding over the event. By holding the stick, the emperor emphasizes the importance of the competition and his vested interest in the outcome. This choice reflects the ceremonial aspect of governance in Lilliputian society, highlighting the formalities involved in selecting a candidate for the position being contested. The other options do not capture the essence of the emperor's role in the ceremony or the symbolic nature of the stick as prominently as this one does.