LAPUTA Meaning and
Definition
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Laputa is a fictional floating island city that appears in Jonathan Swift's satirical novel, "Gulliver's Travels." The term 'Laputa' is derived from the Spanish word "la puta," meaning "the whore" or "the prostitute." However, it is important to note that in Swift's context, the term's meaning does not refer to its literal translation. Instead, Laputa symbolizes an abstract concept of absurdity, arrogance, and impracticality.
In "Gulliver's Travels," Laputa is inhabited by intellectuals and scientists who are deeply engrossed in their scholarly pursuits. The island's residents are so fixated on their intellectualism that they rely on their knowledge and inventions to solve everyday problems, completely detached from reality. Their obsession with theoretical concepts often leads to ineffective solutions and impractical endeavors.
Laputa's portrayal in Swift's novel satirizes the intellectual elite who, despite their vast knowledge, lack common sense and practicality. The city is depicted as a place detached from the real world, emphasizing the importance of balancing intelligence and practicality in order to address societal issues effectively.
The term 'Laputa' has since become synonymous with aloof intellectuals or individuals overly focused on intellectual pursuits while disregarding practicality. It serves as a cautionary symbol against the dangers of intellectual arrogance and the potential consequences of detached theorizing in the absence of real-world awareness.
Common Misspellings for LAPUTA
Etymology of LAPUTA
The word "Laputa" comes from the novel "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift, published in 1726. In the book, Laputa is the name of an imaginary flying island that is home to intellectuals and scientists. The word is a combination of two Spanish words: "la" meaning "the", and "puta" meaning "prostitute". However, Swift's usage of the word does not carry its literal meaning in this context. Instead, he seems to have used it satirically to represent a society that is detached from reality and caught up in its own intellectual pursuits.
Similar spelling words for LAPUTA
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