Gullivers Travels

Gulliver’s Travels: Book vs. Modern Film Adaptation

Gulliver’s Travels is a classic eighteenth century satirical novel written by Jonathan Swift. It is widely read across the world and has never been out of print since it was first published. In this great masterpiece, we follow the adventures of the main character Lemuel Gulliver, an intelligent and literate man. In contrast to the original work, the 2010 Hollywood adaptation presents us with a dimwitted, yet somewhat humorous character. By portraying the protagonist as an entertaining fool, the work is changed from a satire to a comedy. Jonathan Swift’s masterpiece was intended to ridicule the absurdities of eighteenth century Europe. In particular the ongoing tensions between England and France, the wars of religion, and political corruptness. Swift intended to expose these absurd disputes through his satirical work. Through the eyes and thoughts of Lemuel Gulliver we are presented to the island of Lilliput and its peculiar inhabitants, the Lilliputians. Although one could argue Gulliver is naïve for thinking he is almost an equal to the Lilliputians, it is clear he is smart and well educated. Gulliver is a middle class English man and we learn he is an apprentice under the watch of a surgeon. As we learn in his adventures in Lilliput, Gulliver has the gift of tongues. When he finds himself stranded on the island, he is unable to communicate with the Lilliputians, but quickly learns the language. We also learn Gulliver is very good at sailing and in fact studied mathematics and navigation because he wanted to travel. Contrary to this good, well rounded character, Gulliver is depicted quite differently in the modern American film. In the Hollywood movie, Lemuel Gulliver can be summarized in one word- stupid. He works at a New York newspaper, but is only a mailroom clerk. Here we find the first signs of discrepancies between the original work and the modern version. The film begins its plot in modern day New York City, not in England. In addition, he has held the same dull job for the past ten years and no one really takes him seriously. Unlike the true brave Gulliver, this character stumbles his way into a writing assignment that will eventually lead him to Lilliput. This is in contrast to the “real” and courageous Gulliver that is in search of adventure. In other words, this Gulliver is no more than a present-day loser. However, unlike the serious and unbiased nature of the original protagonist, this Gulliver is comical. Rather than presenting universal themes of culture and religion, the modern adaptation’s main focus is creating a few seconds of laugh for the audience. In the end, the characters in the book and the film have very different personalities. The classic, timeless character of Lemuel Gulliver is completely reinvented in the 2010 film. From one perspective, the film illustrates a funny, timid, and foolish Gulliver. In comparison, the true character as displayed in the book, is brave and intelligent. These differences cannot be overlooked and completely change the nature of the work as a whole.