Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift

Historical and Cultural Context

Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels is a classic novel that was published in 1726. It tells the story of Lemuel Gulliver, a ship's surgeon who travels to four different lands: Lilliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa, and the land of the Houyhnhnms. Each of these lands represents different aspects of society and culture during Swift's time. He even travels briefly to Japan! 

During the early 18th century, Britain was in the midst of the Enlightenment, a time of great intellectual and cultural change. The Enlightenment emphasised the importance of reason, science, and progress, and it had a profound impact on British society. Swift was a prominent figure during this period, and he was known for his satirical writings that criticised the social and political institutions of his time.

One of the main themes of Gulliver's Travels is the idea of power and authority. In Lilliput, Gulliver finds himself in a land where the tiny inhabitants are obsessed with hierarchy and order, despite their small size. This reflects Swift's criticism of the rigid social structure of his time, where the upper class held all the power and the lower classes were forced to obey.

In Brobdingnag, Gulliver encounters giants who see him as a mere insect. This land represents the opposite extreme of Lilliput, where the powerful dominate the weak. Swift uses this contrast to highlight the flaws of both systems and to suggest that a more balanced and egalitarian society is needed.

In Laputa, Gulliver visits a floating island where the inhabitants are obsessed with mathematics and science, but are completely detached from reality. This land represents the dangers of excessive intellectualism and the need for practicality and common sense.

Finally, in the land of the Houyhnhnms, Gulliver encounters a race of intelligent horses who live in harmony with nature and have no concept of lies or deceit. This land represents Swift's ideal society, one that is based on reason, morality, and a deep connection to nature.

Gulliver's Travels is a satirical commentary on the society and culture of Swift's time. It explores themes of power, authority, reason, and morality, and it offers a vision of a more just and equitable society. Its enduring popularity and relevance make it a classic work of literature that continues to captivate readers around the world.

Questions

1. In which century was Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels first published?

A. 16th century

B. 17th century

C. 18th century

D. 19th century

2. Which of the following lands in Gulliver's Travels represents a society based on reason and morality?

A. Lilliput

B. Brobdingnag

C. Laputa

D. The land of the Houyhnhnms

3. What is one of the main themes of Gulliver's Travels?

A. The importance of hierarchy and order

B. The dangers of practicality and common sense

C. The need for excessive intellectualism

D. The idea of power and authority

4. What cultural movement was influential during the time when Swift wrote Gulliver's Travels?

A. The Romantic movement

B. The Gothic movement

C. The Renaissance

D. The Enlightenment

Discussion

If you could visit any of the lands that Gulliver travels to in Gulliver's Travels, which one would you choose and why? 

Further reading

1. Swift, J. (1726). "Gulliver's Travels" (original English title: "Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, in Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships"). Reading the original work is essential for understanding its satirical themes, political commentary, and imaginative elements.

2. Damrosch, L. (2013). "Jonathan Swift: His Life and His World". This biography of Jonathan Swift, the author of "Gulliver's Travels," offers insights into his life, the historical context, and the political climate of the time. This background can help students appreciate the novel's satirical elements and deeper meanings.

3. Rawson, C. (Ed.). (2002). "Gulliver's Travels: A Norton Critical Edition". This critical edition of the novel provides an authoritative text, an introduction to the work, as well as a selection of essays, criticism, and historical context that will be helpful to students looking to deepen their understanding of "Gulliver's Travels."

4. Crane, R. S. (2011). "The Idea of the Humanities and Other Essays Critical and Historical". In this collection of essays, Crane's "The Rhetoric of 'Gulliver's Travels'" offers an insightful analysis of the novel's rhetorical strategies, Swift's use of satire, and the work's place in the history of English literature.

5. Keymer, T. (2012). "The Cambridge Companion to English Literature, 1650-1740". This volume, part of the well-respected "Cambridge Companions to Literature" series, provides a series of essays on various aspects of English literature during the period when "Gulliver's Travels" was written. It offers a broader literary and historical context that can help students understand the novel's place in the literary landscape of the time.