Humanity in Gulliver's Travels
Humanity in Gulliver’s Travels
Gulliver’s Travels is a satire that attacks the humanity, political structures, and religion of the 18th century. This is the time that Jonathan Swift wrote this novel. Swifts opinions are seen throughout the novel by symbolism in people, places, and actions. Each of the four voyages attacks a different negative aspect of that time. Until the end, when the Houyhnhnms are introduced, all the different creatures he encounters represent characteristics of England that should be changed. The first voyage expresses the ridiculousness and rashness of the government and religion of the time of Swift. The second voyage is more direct in the attack on England’s government officials. The third voyage not only focuses on attacking the government, but also the scholars and people who are so called “geniuses”. Gulliver’s final voyage ties together the main message of the novel and again attacks England’s humanity in general. All these voyages come together in the end to create a message of a need for change.
Gulliver’s first voyage to Lilliput and Blefuscu shows much symbolism toward the countries England and France. Swift uses many representations and actions to represent people and beliefs of the government, religion, and humanity of England and France. There are some hints pointing to the fact that Lilliput represents England and that Blefuscu represents France. The empire of Lilliput and the empire of Blefuscu are close in distance and also rivals. This mirrors England and France during the 18th century, when Swift wrote Gulliver’s Travels (Laila, Vani). England and France went to war in 1793, the year this book was written. This war initiated because of the execution of Louis XVI, causing outrage in France (Channel4). The war between Lilliput and Blefuscu began because of a ridiculous law in Lilliput about breaking eggs. “The Emperor his father published an Edict, commanding all his subjects, upon great penalties, to break
Gulliver’s Travels is a satire that attacks the humanity, political structures, and religion of the 18th century. This is the time that Jonathan Swift wrote this novel. Swifts opinions are seen throughout the novel by symbolism in people, places, and actions. Each of the four voyages attacks a different negative aspect of that time. Until the end, when the Houyhnhnms are introduced, all the different creatures he encounters represent characteristics of England that should be changed. The first voyage expresses the ridiculousness and rashness of the government and religion of the time of Swift. The second voyage is more direct in the attack on England’s government officials. The third voyage not only focuses on attacking the government, but also the scholars and people who are so called “geniuses”. Gulliver’s final voyage ties together the main message of the novel and again attacks England’s humanity in general. All these voyages come together in the end to create a message of a need for change.
Gulliver’s first voyage to Lilliput and Blefuscu shows much symbolism toward the countries England and France. Swift uses many representations and actions to represent people and beliefs of the government, religion, and humanity of England and France. There are some hints pointing to the fact that Lilliput represents England and that Blefuscu represents France. The empire of Lilliput and the empire of Blefuscu are close in distance and also rivals. This mirrors England and France during the 18th century, when Swift wrote Gulliver’s Travels (Laila, Vani). England and France went to war in 1793, the year this book was written. This war initiated because of the execution of Louis XVI, causing outrage in France (Channel4). The war between Lilliput and Blefuscu began because of a ridiculous law in Lilliput about breaking eggs. “The Emperor his father published an Edict, commanding all his subjects, upon great penalties, to break
Bibliography: Galloway, Shirley. “Swifts Moral Satire in Gullivers Travels”. Lit List. 1994. . “Gullivers Travels”. Review Materials. . Laila, Vani. “The Symbolism Research of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels; A Voyage to Lilliput Part”. A Tiny World For Me. Simply Jacy. 2007. . “War Against the French”. War Against Napolean. .