Jonathan Swift's "The Battle of the Books"

"The Battle of the Books" by Jonathan Swift is a satirical poem that humorously depicts a confrontation among the ancient and modern books within the King’s Library. The ancient books, representing classical knowledge, oppose the modern books, symbolizing newer ideas and scientific progress. Swift uses this allegory to criticize the rivalry between traditional learning and contemporary innovation, suggesting that both have their value. The poem highlights the ongoing debate about the worth of old versus new knowledge, emphasizing the importance of balancing tradition with progress in understanding the world.