What motivates the Lilliputians to engage in warfare?

The motivation for the Lilliputians to engage in warfare primarily stems from disputes over trivial matters. In Jonathan Swift's satirical narrative, the conflict between the Lilliputians exemplifies the absurdity of human conflicts often driven by inconsequential issues. For instance, their longstanding rivalry over the proper way to break an egg—either from the big end or the little end—serves as a humorous but pointed commentary on how small disagreements can escalate into larger conflicts. This highlights Swift's critique of the pettiness of political and social disputes in the real world, illustrating that the Lilliputians' minor grievances can lead to significant consequences, including war.

The other motivations listed do not accurately capture the essence of the Lilliputian conflicts as presented in the narrative. While territorial expansion and desires for equality are common reasons for war in the real world, they are overshadowed in the context of Lilliput, where the focus is on the ridiculousness of their quarrels. Similarly, religious differences, although they have caused many historical conflicts, do not play a significant role in the Lilliputians' motivations in Swift's tale. The emphasis remains on the triviality of their disputes, demonstrating the