Themes: Human Folly and Evil
Swift wrote that Gulliver’s Travels was based upon “a great foundation of Misanthropy,” and the least attractive qualities of the human race furnish the most pervasive theme of the book. This theme intensifies until it finds its most extreme expression in the Yahoos at the end of the book. Gulliver’s description of the first Yahoos he encounters is consistent with their looking like humans, but he does not himself see the resemblance until his Houyhnhnm master places him side by side with a Yahoo. He accepts the Houyhnhnms’ view of the world completely, regarding them as the wisest beings he has ever met. He therefore finds himself agreeing with their assessment of humanity as being identical to the Yahoos in all important respects, and perhaps even worse, since humans have a greater capacity for destruction. Gulliver comes to detest humans so completely that by the conclusion of the book, he cannot bear to be near one, even his wife and children.
The Houyhnhnms’ perception of the Yahoos is foreshadowed in part 2 by the king of Brobdingnag, who enquires into the laws and customs of England in much the same way as Gulliver’s Houyhnhnm master. The king is described by Gulliver as the wisest and most admirable character in the first half of the book, and he shares the Houyhnhnms’ horror of war, disdainfully refusing when Gulliver offers to share the secret of gunpowder with him. The way in which human folly and evil are presented therefore alternates between the four parts of the story. In parts 1 and 3, the vices of humanity are satirized directly in the self-importance, deviousness, cruelty, and violence of the Lilliputians, then in the prodigality, impracticality, and foolish conformity of the scholars on Laputa and in Lagado. In parts 2 and 4, the king of Brobdingnag and Gulliver’s Houyhnhnm master provide the commentary on the specific vices of the English described to them by Gulliver.
The catalogue of human failings Swift presents is very long indeed. One of his favorite techniques is to make a long list of pejorative words to drive home the sheer variety of folly and evil against which he is inveighing. The king of Brobdingnag provides an example when he describes the history of England which Gulliver has related to him as “a heap of conspiracies, rebellions, murders, massacres, revolutions, banishments, the very worst effects that avarice, faction, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, cruelty, rage, madness, hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition, could produce.” Another technique which creates some of Swift’s most memorable effects is to give a detailed historical account of the ludicrous origins of some quarrel, like the dispute in Lilliput over the correct end at which to crack an egg.
Expert Q&A
In Gulliver's Travels, what is Swift's message for humanity?
In Gulliver's Travels, Swift's message for humanity is that different cultures should learn from each other. To some extent, Gulliver represents the insularity of Swift's Britain. And it is only by getting acquainted with myriad different cultures that he's able to break free of that insularity and learn more about the world around him.
What does this quote from Gulliver's Travels mean?
"...I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth."
This quote from "Gulliver's Travels" reflects the King of Brobdingnag's view that Western cultures, particularly the English, are violent and morally corrupt. He is horrified by their propensity for war and violence, contrasting it with his own peaceful society. Swift uses this perspective to satirize and criticize the barbarism and foolishness of English high society and politics, suggesting a broader critique of humanity.
What is the relationship between size and morality in Gulliver's Travels?
In Gulliver's Travels, Gulliver encounters people who are both much larger and much smaller than him. Physical size means power, but where that power is used carefully, it indicates moral fortitude. Gulliver does not crush the Lilliputians, but reasons with them, even though they are tiny. By contrast, the king of Laputa abuses his physical size by using it to exert control.
Explain the quote from Gulliver's Travels: "Undoubtedly philosophers are in the right when they tell us that nothing is great or little, otherwise than by comparison."
This quote from Gulliver's Travels highlights that greatness or insignificance is determined by comparison. Gulliver realizes this in Brobdingnag, where he feels tiny compared to the giants, unlike in Lilliput, where he was enormous. The quote suggests that achievements and stature are only meaningful when compared to others, indicating that without a comparison, a person remains average.
In Gulliver's Travels, what reasons does Gulliver give for war in England?
Gulliver explains to the Houyhnhnms that wars in England can be caused by several factors: rulers' ambition for more land or power, corruption among government officials who seek to divert attention from their wrongdoing, and trivial differences in opinion, such as religious disputes. He also mentions feuding princes, strong enemies, alliances, and economic disparities as potential causes of war. These reasons highlight the absurdity and destructiveness of human conflicts.
Why was Swift criticized for the satire in Gulliver's Travels?
Swift was criticized for his satire in Gulliver's Travels due to its sharp critique of English society, including the government, political parties, and religious conflicts. By using allegory, such as the Tramecksans and Slamecksans representing political factions and the egg-cracking dispute symbolizing religious wars, Swift mocked the triviality of these divisions. His portrayal of these issues as ridiculous drew criticism from those who valued the distinctions he satirized.
In Gulliver's Travels, how do the Houyhnhnms function as satire?
The Houyhnhnms in Gulliver's Travels serve as a satire of human society by embodying a purely logical and rational existence. Gulliver's master is shocked at humans' treatment of horses and their reliance on brute strength, contrasting with the peaceful, cooperative life of the Houyhnhnms. This highlights the irony of humans' supposed superiority despite their violent and greedy tendencies, as opposed to the rational and harmonious society of the Houyhnhnms.
Why was the king of Brobdingnag horrified when Gulliver described war, and what can we infer about the king's innate characteristics?
The king of Brobdingnag is horrified by Gulliver's description of war and the use of gunpowder, viewing it as barbaric. He rebukes Gulliver for his acceptance of such violence and refuses to learn about war machinery. The king's reaction suggests he is a conscientious and idealistic ruler, opposed to political intrigue and warfare, likely influenced by Brobdingnag's history of civil wars. He believes in preventing suffering by avoiding the means of warfare.
Is Gulliver's Travels a misanthropic work?
Gulliver's Travels is often considered misanthropic due to its critical portrayal of humanity. Jonathan Swift's work, including "A Modest Proposal," reflects a general disdain for mankind's flaws. In Gulliver's Travels, Swift critiques societal values and trivial conflicts, as seen with the Lilliputians' war. The depiction of the Houyhnhnms and Yahoos further emphasizes negative human traits. While some argue Swift aimed to enlighten, the prevailing view is that the work is misanthropic.
What is Gulliver's view on colonization in Gulliver's Travels?
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
