My only knowledge of Gulliver’s Travels was a very old movie I remember renting from the library on VHS back in the day. I remember that it freaked me out a bit as a kid, so I approached the book itself with some caution. While it wasn’t a scary book, it certainly had a few oddities that I didn’t quite gel with. Let us just say that satire is probably not for me.
Plot summary
This book is broken up into three journeys or parts. In the first, we meet Gulliver and journey with him through shipwreck to the island of the Lilliputians. These miniature people take him prisoner, but he soon becomes a friend and vassal of their ruler. After living with them for a few years, a plot is hatched against Gulliver by a faction of the Lilliputian government. He makes good his escape and returns to England.
After a short stay in England, Gulliver feels the urge to travel. As surgeon on a merchant vessel, he once more finds himself shipwrecked in strange lands. This time, it’s a race of giants, from whom he learns many things about good governance and the relative nature of all our merits. Gulliver is living well enough amongst the giant race until he has an accident with a giant bird, which sees him once more headed for home.
You would think that these two adventures would show Gulliver the merits of staying quietly at home. But no! In the final part, he is once more at sea, this time as captain of his own ship. Unfortunately, there’s a mutiny and he is cast ashore by his perfidious crew. He discovers that this new land is populated by a race of intelligent horses. There is also a race of Yahoos on the island, which resemble humans, but are a foul and ignorant species. So horrid are the Yahoos and so enlightened are the horses, he doesn’t wish to return to England. However, he’s forced to when a council of horses decide he cannot remain.
What I liked: links to ancient greek texts
This satirical work certainly has its fair share of links to ancient Greek works such as The Illiad and The Odyssey. I enjoyed picking out the references throughout the book. Gulliver’s Travels also has references to More’s Utopia which was fun to find after so recently reading it myself.
The book is certainly creative. The three lands are interestingly developed. Each section gives you an opportunity to reflect on yourself and on wider society from different angles. From that perspective, it was fun to read. I liked progressing through strange lands and watching how Gulliver would solve the problems he faced with the varying sizes and races he found himself with.
What I struggled with: satire is not for me, folks
Yes, it’s witty and creative. I know that the author is trying to make you think. But I just can’t get around this book and its use of satire.
Excrement was referenced frequently, as were more private body parts. This was a literary ploy to clue the reader into the satirical nature of the piece, but I can’t say I enjoyed it. Certainly it’s not something I would be reading aloud!
The facetious tone of knowledge and self-satisfaction that was often employed grated on me pretty quickly. While I understand Swift wanted to make a point, I think it was just a little too much for me to enjoy the book.
I think if you are into satire or like to get into political commentary, you may find this book more to your taste. As for me, I don’t think I’ll be traveling with Gulliver again any time soon.
