In Gulliver’s Travels, what does the title "Lilliput" symbolize?

The title "Lilliput" symbolizes the pettiness of human conflicts, particularly through the lens of the absurdity and triviality of issues that cause strife among the inhabitants. In Jonathan Swift's satirical portrayal, the people of Lilliput engage in ridiculous wars and political maneuvering over matters that seem entirely insignificant, such as the proper way to break an egg. This exaggeration serves to critique the larger geopolitical conflicts of Swift's time, highlighting how often human disputes are based on similarly shallow grounds. The miniature scale of Lilliput and its inhabitants further amplifies this theme, as their small size serves as a metaphor for the minor importance of their quarrels in the grand scheme of the world.

Other options, while they touch on aspects of Lilliput, do not capture the central thematic critique as effectively as the notion of pettiness. The smallness of the nation could be seen as relevant, but it is the conflicts that arise from this smallness that are truly telling. The innocence of the inhabitants might imply a level of naivety, yet Swift's focus is more on their flawed behaviors rather than an inherent goodness. Lastly, the richness of its culture is overshadowed by the absurdity