Final answer:
Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' is a satirical work that critiques the British government and society through humor and sarcasm. Swift uses the protagonist Gulliver's experiences to indirectly encourage readers to reflect on and reform their own behaviors and institutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
One eminent satirical work that utilizes humor and sarcasm to instigate social reform is Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels'. Within this work, Swift satirizes a broad spectrum of issues, including the pettiness of human nature, the absurdity of government, and the flawed nature of society.
The specific subject of satire in 'Gulliver's Travels' is the British government and the self-importance of the British people at the time. Swift employs satirical elements in order to compel the reader to recognize these shortcomings and reflect on the need for change and self-improvement.
Swift does not explicitly instruct his readers to take specific actions; rather, he intends for them to become more self-aware and critical of their society. By presenting his narrative through the eyes of an observer, like Gulliver, Swift maintains a seemingly unbiased disposition, allowing the reader to arrive at their own conclusions. Thus, Swift's use of satire in 'Gulliver's Travels' is a masterful indictment of contemporary failings, intended to spur thoughtful reflection and, ultimately, reform.