Gulliver’s Travels, published in 1726, is a satirical novel in the form of a travel book by Jonathan Swift. While its editions adapted for children are widely enjoyed by young readers, the book is mainly written for adults who are able to appreciate the satire in its narrative. This essay will analyse the first part of Gulliver’s Travels - A Voyage to Lilliput and will describe what kind of traveller Gulliver is, touching upon the significance of his surname.
In the beginning of the book, in the preface, “the publisher”, Richard Sympson, declares the authenticity of Lemuer Gulliver’s character and his extraordinary voyages. This may be Swift’s way of mocking Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, which came out seven years before Gulliver’s Travels …show more content…
What they find are common everyday objects of a regular Englishman, however, they are able to recognise them due to their size difference. By “defamiliariserizing” these ordinary items, Swift points out to the readers how silly the political and social life of England is. [10] It is also worth pointing out that all the items which Gulliver had with him could not possibly fit into all his pockets. Here, Swift satirises Defoe’s slip-up when Robinson Crusoe “stripped off his clothes before swimming out to the wrecked ship, but was still able to stuff his pockets with biscuits when he got there.” …show more content…
This infuriates the Empress, and consequently, she swears revenge on Gulliver. This corresponds to Queen Anne’s outrage at Swift’s writings in A Tale of a Tub, despite the fact that he defends the Catholic Church in it. Nevertheless, Queen Anne denies Swift a clerical position in England. [20]
In the sixth chapter, it becomes apparent just how immersed Gulliver is in Lilliputian society. Even though he is absurdly accused of having sexual intercourse with Flimnap’s wife, it does not occur to him that intercourse could not be physically possible due to their huge difference in size. [21]
In chapter seven, Gulliver escaping to Blefuscu represents Bolingbroke, leader of the Tories, who flees to France, both Gulliver and Bolingbroke having been charged with treason. [22] The Lilliputian Emperor stands for King George I, and in general symbolises petty and corrupt politicians. The Emperor of Lilliput is easily persuaded by his counsellors to “mercifully” put Gulliver to death. [23]
In the last chapter, Gulliver is treated with kindness and honesty by the Emperor of Blefuscu, in contrast with the mean and treacherous way that the Emperor of Lilliput treated him. This goes to show that the initial assumptions that the little people are inherently petty and mean can be dismissed.
In the beginning of the book, in the preface, “the publisher”, Richard Sympson, declares the authenticity of Lemuer Gulliver’s character and his extraordinary voyages. This may be Swift’s way of mocking Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, which came out seven years before Gulliver’s Travels …show more content…
What they find are common everyday objects of a regular Englishman, however, they are able to recognise them due to their size difference. By “defamiliariserizing” these ordinary items, Swift points out to the readers how silly the political and social life of England is. [10] It is also worth pointing out that all the items which Gulliver had with him could not possibly fit into all his pockets. Here, Swift satirises Defoe’s slip-up when Robinson Crusoe “stripped off his clothes before swimming out to the wrecked ship, but was still able to stuff his pockets with biscuits when he got there.” …show more content…
This infuriates the Empress, and consequently, she swears revenge on Gulliver. This corresponds to Queen Anne’s outrage at Swift’s writings in A Tale of a Tub, despite the fact that he defends the Catholic Church in it. Nevertheless, Queen Anne denies Swift a clerical position in England. [20]
In the sixth chapter, it becomes apparent just how immersed Gulliver is in Lilliputian society. Even though he is absurdly accused of having sexual intercourse with Flimnap’s wife, it does not occur to him that intercourse could not be physically possible due to their huge difference in size. [21]
In chapter seven, Gulliver escaping to Blefuscu represents Bolingbroke, leader of the Tories, who flees to France, both Gulliver and Bolingbroke having been charged with treason. [22] The Lilliputian Emperor stands for King George I, and in general symbolises petty and corrupt politicians. The Emperor of Lilliput is easily persuaded by his counsellors to “mercifully” put Gulliver to death. [23]
In the last chapter, Gulliver is treated with kindness and honesty by the Emperor of Blefuscu, in contrast with the mean and treacherous way that the Emperor of Lilliput treated him. This goes to show that the initial assumptions that the little people are inherently petty and mean can be dismissed.