Themes: Conservatism and Progress
It may seem paradoxical for a writer who is constantly complaining about the corruption of the society in which he lives to be a social and political conservative. Why satirize a system if you do not want to change it in any way? Swift’s answer to this appears to be that the corruption of human beings is endemic. There is no point in trying to change anything or discover anything new. His approval of the Houyhnhnms, who are not at all interested in the world around them, and have not mastered even the most basic technology, is contrasted with his continual sneering at the Grand Academy of Lagado, with its experiments in agriculture and architecture.
The conservatism of Swift’s worldview is confirmed by the episode in Glubbdubdrib. He idealizes the Roman senate and disparages modern parliaments by comparison. He regards Homer and Aristotle as admirable but will not allow that anyone who has ever commented on or been influenced by their writings has added anything to human understanding. Swift’s ideal human is a Roman patrician, such as Brutus. His ideal society is one of horses who never change or discover anything new. The idea that humanity could progress to a better state through new discoveries or innovations never seems to occur to him. The only possible moral progress is through a political and economic regress, returning to a simpler and purer style of life and shedding the luxuries and distractions of modernity.
Expert Q&A
What does the king's reaction to Gulliver's account of English society infer about the Brobdingnagians and their society?
The king's horrified reaction to Gulliver's account of English society suggests that Brobdingnagian society values peace and creation over destruction. The king's rejection of gunpowder as a violent invention and his metaphor comparing the English to "pernicious" pests indicate a disdain for destructive tendencies. This implies that Brobdingnagians prioritize constructive contributions to society, viewing violence and aggression as abhorrent and unnecessary.
Does Gulliver change and learn from his adventures throughout the story?
Gulliver undergoes significant changes throughout his adventures. Initially a patriotic and open-minded Englishman, he becomes disillusioned with European values after encountering various societies. His most profound transformation occurs after meeting the rational Houyhnhnms, leading him to reject humanity and its flaws. By the end, he despises humankind, preferring the company of horses. While Gulliver fails to find a balanced perspective, readers are invited to critique European society rationally while acknowledging its virtues.
In Gulliver's Travels, what is the significance of the order of Gulliver’s journeys?
The order of Gulliver's journeys in Gulliver's Travels is significant as it highlights the novel's satirical themes. Starting in Lilliput, Gulliver's perceived superiority is mocked, while Brobdingnag reverses this dynamic, exposing flaws in his worldview. The progression to the Houyhnhnms underscores humanity's moral failings, culminating in Gulliver's disillusionment. These ordered experiences accentuate themes of moral superiority and "might versus right," with each journey deepening Gulliver's self-awareness and critique of human nature.
What type of government and law administration did the Lilliputians have?
The Lilliputians in Gulliver's Travels have a monarchy led by an Emperor, where positions of authority are earned through absurd competitions like rope dancing. Their legal system is a "Praise and Punishment" model, rewarding citizens for not committing crimes and imposing harsh penalties for deceit and fraud, including capital punishment. The government also manages child-rearing, sending most children to state-run schools and allowing them to see their parents only twice a year.
What philosophical position is Gulliver mocking in his account of the Lagado Academy?
Gulliver mocks the philosophical position of imprudent scientific experimentation in his account of the Lagado Academy. Swift satirizes institutions like the Royal Society and the Dublin Philosophical Society, portraying their experiments as absurd and pointless, such as extracting sunbeams from cucumbers and breeding wool-less sheep. Through this satire, Swift criticizes science pursued without practical benefit, depicting it as a waste of resources and intelligence.
In Gulliver’s Travels, what is the Houyhnhnms' society based on?
In Gulliver's Travels, the Houyhnhnms' society is based on reason and logic; they are rational beings, though they are horse-like in appearance.
Why do Gulliver and the Lilliputians assert their countries' importance to others? How do their desires compare?
Justify the political standpoint in 18th-century England using Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift.
Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels critiques 18th-century British politics by highlighting its violence and hypocrisy through satire. Swift uses Gulliver's naive descriptions of British society to appall his hosts, showcasing the perceived savagery of European practices, such as warfare. While British society is depicted as cruel and barbaric, Swift's humorous attack aims to challenge the notion of European superiority, encouraging readers to question societal norms and inspire positive change.
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