Final answer:
In Jonathan Swift's passage from Gulliver's Travels, the predominant satirical element is exaggeration, used to critique societal issues humorously and provocatively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift includes a list of vices that Swift claims compel people to a life of crime and immorality, reflecting the undesirable circumstances in society. Considering the satirical elements available, the most dominant in this passage is exaggeration. Swift deliberately amplifies social issues to ridiculous proportions to criticize and bring attention to them effectively. He does not merely suggest minor faults in society but instead presents a catastrophic image of deception and crime as the only means of livelihood for many. The language Swift uses does not subtly hint (innuendo) nor does it tell a story with a hidden moral lesson (allegory), nor does it minimize the issue at hand (understatement).
Satire often utilizes humor to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of individuals or a society by using irony, derision, or wit. The aim is to use humor to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles. Swift uses satire as a tool to challenge the status quo and provoke thoughtful consideration of societal problems, in a manner that can engage the reader through wit rather than direct accusation. This technique is seen across Swift's writings and is a hallmark of his work, often leading to vigorous debate and reflection among his readers.