Essay on The Satire of Gullivers Travels - 807 Words

The Satire of Gullivers Travels During the eighteenth century there was an incredible upheaval of commercialization in London, England. As a result, English society underwent significant, changes in attitude and thought, in an attempt to obtain the dignity and splendor of royalty and the upper class (McKendrick,2). As a result, English society held themselves in very high regards, feeling that they were the elite society of mankind. In his novel, Gullivers Travels, Jonathan Swift satirizes this English society in many ways. In the novel, Swift uses metaphors to reveal his disapproval of English society. Through graphic representations of the body and its functions, Swift reveals to the reader that grandeur is†¦show more content†¦On the second voyage, Swift turns the tables on Gulliver and places him among a race of giant people, the Brobdingnagians, where Gulliver is viewed as the inferior. Due to his miniature size, Gulliver is able to examine the human body in a much more detailed mann er. Upon witnessing the undressing of the Maids of Honor, Gulliver expresses his aversion to their naked bodies. They were, very far from being a tempting sight, and gave him, any other emotions than those of horror and disgust, because of the acuteness to which he was able to observe their, course and uneven [skin], so variously colored (Norton,2104). Gulliver also talks of their moles, here and there as broad as a trencher, and hairs hanging from (them) thicker than pack-threads (Norton,2104). Earlier in the novel, upon witnessing the suckling of a baby, Gulliver tells the reader that upon seeing the womans breast he, [reflected] upon the fair skins of [his] English ladies, who appear so beautiful... only because they are of [his] own size (Norton,2088). In showing Gullivers disgust at the sight of such prestigious and beautiful women of Brobdingnag, Swift again comments on English society through a graphic portrayal of the human body. Swift uses the Maids of Hon or as a metaphor to comment on the women of England, whom, among eighteenth century English society, were believed to be the most beautiful of all the world. Showing that despiteShow MoreRelatedSatire In Gullivers Travels1455 Words   |  6 Pageselements that writers use is called â€Å"satire.† This element is used to make fun of something that the author disapproves of in a comical but hidden way. Widely considered as one of the greatest satirists to ever live, Jonathan Swift used satire in his works to express his disgust in society and the British Monarchy during the 18th century. One of the greatest satires ever written by Swift was Gulliver’s Travels. In Gulliver’s Travels, satire is evident through Gulliver’s voyage to Lilliput, his dialogueRead MoreThe Use of Satire in Gullivers Travels903 Words   |  4 Pages Satire is a literary work that uses humor, hyperbole, and derision to ridicule the human behaviors and customs. Rather than bein g judgmental, many writers utilize satire to convey their innovative ideas to change certain aspects of society. From the many writers that used satire to condemn the actions of society, Jonathan Swifts, Gullivers travels, stands as one of the best satirical work in human history. Published in 1726, Gullivers travels is an adventure of Lemuel Gulliver whose voyage turnsRead MoreSatire in Gullivers Travels Jonathan Swift Essay1032 Words   |  5 PagesSatire in Gullivers Travels Jonathan Swift In Gullivers Travels, Jonathan Swift makes a satirical attack on humanity. In the final book, Swift takes a stab at humanity by simultaneously criticizing physiological, mental, and spiritual aspects of humans. Literary critics Ronald Knowles and Irvin Ehrenpreis both agree that the last book focused entirely on satirizing humanity. The Yahoo brutes that inhabit Houyhnhnm Land are a despicable species that have the physical appearance of humansRead MoreSatire in Jonathan Swift ´s Gullivers Travels1944 Words   |  8 PagesJonathan Swift produced one of the most printed novels known to date. The novel, Gulliver’s Travels, not only received recognition for being reprinted an immense amount of time, but also for the satire found within the novel. Swift intended his novel to be used as a scapegoat in which he would reveal his opinion on the English society. Swift was able to demonstrate this satire through the four part plot of Gulliver’s Travels. Each part of the nov el told the journey of the protagonist and focal characterRead MoreEssay on Use of Satire in Jonathan Swifts Gullivers Travels729 Words   |  3 PagesEffective Use of Satire in Gullivers Travelsnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp; Jonathan Swifts story, Gullivers Travels, is a very clever story. It recounts the fictitious journey of a fictitious man named Lemuel Gulliver, and his travels to the fantasy lands of Lilliput, Brobdinag, Laputa, and Houyhnhmn land. When one first reads his accounts in each of these lands, one may believe that they are reading humorous accounts of fairy-tale-like lands that are intended to amuseRead MoreGullivers Travels by Swift as a Fine Example of Satire Essay822 Words   |  4 PagesGullivers Travels by Swift as a Fine Example of Satire Gullivers Travels is a book which uses satire, to attack the politics of its time. Swift operates on two levels; on one level he tells an enjoyable fantasy story for all ages. On the second level behind the superficial narrative he comments upon the issues he faces in the reality of England and makes criticisms. The story is set on an island called Lilliput, it is inhabited by little people and it is this whichRead More Comapring Naivete and Satire in Jonathan Swifts Gullivers Travels and Voltaires Candide2292 Words   |  10 PagesNaivete and Satire in Jonathan Swifts Gullivers Travels and Voltaires Candide       A child has the ability to make the most critical and objective observation on society and the behavior of man. How is this possible? A child has yet to mature and lacks proper education and experience. However, it is for this very reason that a child would make the perfect social scientist; his or her naivete may provide an excellent means of objective criticism and most often satire. A childs curiousRead MoreSwifts Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift Essay1267 Words   |  6 Pages Swifts Gulliver’s Travels enables us to critically and harshly analyse our world and encourages us to evaluate the customs of early 18th century English society in relation to an ideal humanity. In order to address the injustices prevalent in human constructs and behavior, Swift uses literary techniques to induce a state of extreme self-doubt. The satires assessment of humanitys positive and negative traits is developed through Gullivers awkward process of identifying with t he loathsome YahoosRead MoreGullivers Travels1043 Words   |  5 PagesGullivers Travels INTRODUCTION Gullivers Travels (1726, amended 1735), officially Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, in Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, is a novel by Irish writer and clergyman Jonathan Swift .This novel is considered both a satire on human nature and a parody of the â€Å"fictional travelogues’ tales literary sub-genre. It is Swifts best known full-length work, and a classic of English literature. The book became tremendously popular as soon as it was publishedRead MoreAnalysis Of Jonathan Swift s Gulliver s Travels1439 Words   |  6 PagesJonathan Swift, well-known for his stark works of satire, uses his novel Gulliver’s Travels to mock his society and culture and in doing so, he addresses the flaws in man-kind as a whole. He always tried to give his readers a different perspective on current political and social issues through the pages and chapters of his books. The people who weren’t appalled by his views happened to appreciate his plain way of speaking on actively-discussed topics. While his writing had been relatively eminent