Gulliver's Travels
Caleb Foard
9/7/10
Ms. Hanson
Thematic Essay
Gulliver’s Travels is a satire of England’s government in the early 1700s. Gulliver’s
Travels was written by Jonathan Swift. During the late 1600s to early 1700s Swift took part in politics. Swift was not treated well by most politicians. Noticing all of the corruption and abuse of power around him, Swift decided to write a book based on the corruption of England’s government. The abuse of power becomes a recurring theme throughout Gulliver’s Travels. Part I of Gulliver’s Travels reveals the abuse of power that recurs throughout the novel. Gulliver is on a boat called the Antelope. The Antelope runs into a storm causing Gulliver and 6 of his crewmates to make their escape on a small rowboat. Soon enough the storm causes the rowboat to capsize. Gulliver safely swims to shore but loses track of his crewmates and never sees them again. That night, Gulliver lies down on a patch of grass and falls asleep. When Gulliver awakens he notices that he is tied to the ground and cannot move. When Gulliver looks down he notices miniature people that couldn’t be more than just six inches tall. One of them was standing on his stomach and the rest were scattered along the ground. The people bring him to their capital city. Gulliver soon learns that the name of this city is Lilliput. Gulliver is then introduced to the emperor of Lilliput. The emperor gives him food and drinks, but he has Gulliver chained up. The emperor commands some of his soldiers to guard Gulliver in case he breaks out of his chains. When Gulliver begs for his freedom, the emperor will not grant him his freedom, but he tells Gulliver to be patient. Soon enough the days comes when the Lilliputians decide to unchain Gulliver, but in order for this to happen Gulliver must obey to the articles that the Lilliputians have put forth. The articles state that Gulliver must help with the construction of buildings and help the Lilliputians in times
9/7/10
Ms. Hanson
Thematic Essay
Gulliver’s Travels is a satire of England’s government in the early 1700s. Gulliver’s
Travels was written by Jonathan Swift. During the late 1600s to early 1700s Swift took part in politics. Swift was not treated well by most politicians. Noticing all of the corruption and abuse of power around him, Swift decided to write a book based on the corruption of England’s government. The abuse of power becomes a recurring theme throughout Gulliver’s Travels. Part I of Gulliver’s Travels reveals the abuse of power that recurs throughout the novel. Gulliver is on a boat called the Antelope. The Antelope runs into a storm causing Gulliver and 6 of his crewmates to make their escape on a small rowboat. Soon enough the storm causes the rowboat to capsize. Gulliver safely swims to shore but loses track of his crewmates and never sees them again. That night, Gulliver lies down on a patch of grass and falls asleep. When Gulliver awakens he notices that he is tied to the ground and cannot move. When Gulliver looks down he notices miniature people that couldn’t be more than just six inches tall. One of them was standing on his stomach and the rest were scattered along the ground. The people bring him to their capital city. Gulliver soon learns that the name of this city is Lilliput. Gulliver is then introduced to the emperor of Lilliput. The emperor gives him food and drinks, but he has Gulliver chained up. The emperor commands some of his soldiers to guard Gulliver in case he breaks out of his chains. When Gulliver begs for his freedom, the emperor will not grant him his freedom, but he tells Gulliver to be patient. Soon enough the days comes when the Lilliputians decide to unchain Gulliver, but in order for this to happen Gulliver must obey to the articles that the Lilliputians have put forth. The articles state that Gulliver must help with the construction of buildings and help the Lilliputians in times