Gulliver reluctantly decides to return home to England at the end of his epic journey. In truth, he'd much rather have stayed with the Houyhnhnms, but after being asked to leave, he has no choice but to head for home.

Because of all the wonderful time he's spent in the company of these urbane, civilized horses, Gulliver has come to think of his fellow countrymen as a bunch of ignorant Yahoos. Even after he finally returns home to his family, he can't stand to be with his wife and children. Instead, he spends several hours each day conversing with horses in an attempt to recapture the special bond he'd developed with the Houyhnhnms. However, by the end of the story, we've learned that Gulliver has at least permitted his wife to dine with him, although she must sit at the farthest end of the table.