Written by Jonathan Swift and first published in 1726, Gulliver’s Travels is a classic piece of English literature and political satire. Though its tone and presentation are more light-hearted than Swift’s other works, it is immensely effective in its criticism of and comment on the state of England at the time of its publication. This article will discuss the ways in which Gulliver’s Travels satirizes England by looking at its characters, themes, and key passages.
The Use of Irony and Sarcasm
Irony and sarcasm are the two main tools used by Swift to satirize England in Gulliver’s Travels. Throughout the novel, the characters and situations are presented in an ironic light in order to draw attention to England’s flaws and inefficiencies. For example, in the second section of the novel, Lilliput, a kingdom less than a six foot tall population, is used as a microcosm to mock and criticize the English legal system. Additionally, the satire of England as a whole is presented through Gulliver’s descriptions of his own countrymen. In his travels to Lilliput, he describes the English as “the horror of other nations”, displaying the deep-seated contempt Swift had for England as a whole.
The Use of Ridicule and Exaggeration
In Gulliver’s Travels mockery is employed to make a point. For instance, when discussing England’s trade and mercantilism policies, Gulliver often mentions the use of nonsense words such as “Grabbles” and “Skyresh Bolgolam” as a way to re-frame and satirize the policies. Furthermore, Swift uses exaggeration to make fun of England’s society and many of its customs. Gulliver’s description of the “Struldbrugs”, a clan of immortals living in the first part of the novel, is an extreme exaggerated representation of the issues of greed, entitlement, and opulence he observed in England. By using exaggeration, Swift is able to more effectively illustrate the problems plaguing England to his readers.
Swift’s Criticism of the Elite Class
Swift also uses Gulliver’s Travels to criticize the ultra-rich and powerful elites in England. He looks at how the citizens of Lilliput, a country divided into two social classes, have grown to resent and distrust one another. Similarly, Swift critiques the system of patronage that had become associated with the elite class and their undue influence in Parliament and in the courts. By presenting these scenarios to the readers, Swift is able to openly criticize a system he considered unjust and corrupt.
His Criticism of Religion
Gulliver’s Travels also takes aim at religious institutions in England during Swift’s lifetime. In the last section of the novel, Gulliver visits Glubbdubdrib, an island of magicians, who give him a unique opportunity to learn about the contentious religious history of England. By visiting the archive, Gulliver is able to view firsthand the many religious struggles and violence that occurred in the country in the 17th and 18th centuries. Through this device, Swift is able to highlight the many injustices carried out in the name of religion and open his readers up to a more well-rounded view of the period.
A Criticism of the Operational System
Moreover, Swift leverage the satire in Gulliver’s Travels to critique England’s operational system as a whole. In the Fourth Part of Gulliver’s Travels, Swift presents Houyhnhnms, a race of intelligent and compassionate horses who are often contrasted with the human characters Gulliver encounters in the novel. By setting up this comparison, Swift is able to criticize England’s system of governance while simultaneously showing how a more effective and humane system could be in place.
His Criticism of War and Power
Throughout Gulliver’s Travels, Swift often remarks upon the futility of war and the various forms of power people uses to oppress one another. By visiting the kingdom of Laputa and the island of Luggnagg, Gulliver is exposed to various war-like tactics, such as radiation bombardment, that are being used to force other nations into submission. This satirical view of war and power showcases Swift’s disapproval of the way it is used in England and throughout the world.
His Criticism of the Cultural Practice
Finally, Swift utilizes Gulliver’s Travels to criticize the cultural practices of England during his lifetime. In the first section of the novel, Gulliver visits the kingdom of Brobdingnag, a land populated by giants who are more intellectually advanced than Gulliver’s English counterparts. Here, Gulliver is exposed to the cultural vices of England, such as drunkenness, vanity, and pride, and is forced to confront the ways in which his own country has become mired in its own self-destructive behaviors. By providing this insight, Swift is able to move his readers to think more critically about how their own cultural practices reflect on their nation.
His Criticism of the Judicial System
Swift’s satire of England’s judicial system comes through in Gulliver’s Travels both explicitly and implicitly. On the one hand, Gulliver’s satirical descriptions of the Lilliputian justice system serves as an allegory to the inefficiencies of the English judicial system, as seen in his descriptions of their ridiculously long and detailed laws. On the other hand, Swift also critiques the inequality of the English justice system, pointing out the unfairness of the punishments given to the lower classes compared to the impunity with which the upper classes operates.
His Criticism of Economics and Money
Swift also makes a point to criticize the economic structure of England in Gulliver’s Travels, particularly in terms of how money is regarded in the country. In the second part of the novel, Gulliver visits the kingdom of Luggnagg, where he discovers a nation which holds no value in money. Swift’s satire of England’s love for money is further illustrated through his description of the Flying Island of Laputa, a place where citizens focus more on theory than on practicality. By portraying a world where money is not held in high regard, Swift is able to expose the frivolity of England’s economic system.
His Criticism of Education System
Finally, Gulliver’s Travels takes a jab at England’s education system in the fourth part of the novel. Here, Gulliver is exposed to the intellectually superior culture of the Houyhnhnms, a world where individuals are taught the importance of truth and reason. Through this contrast, Swift is able to highlight the ineffectiveness of the English education system and to encourage his readers to seek out a more enlightened system.
His Criticism of Morality
Throughout Gulliver’s Travels, Swift also criticizes the moral frameworks of England during his lifetime. This criticism comes through in the way Swift presents the character of Gulliver, who is often presented as a morally bankrupt individual who lacks empathy and compassion. By setting up these contrasts, Swift is able to comment on the lack of morality in England and to invite his readers to think critically about what constitutes a moral society.
His Criticism of Psychology and Mental Health
In Gulliver’s Travels, Swift also satirizes the way mental health is viewed and treated in England. Gulliver’s visit to the kingdom of Glubbdubdrib is considered to be one of the most pointed critiques of England’s neglect of mental health. Here, Gulliver meets with a madman who speaks of his own mental anguish and is ultimately ignored and abandoned by the people of Glubbdubdrib. By presenting this scenario to his readers, Swift is able to comment on the way England devalued and dismissed those suffering from mental illness.
His Criticism of Science
Finally, Swift also takes aim at England’s scientific establishment in Gulliver’s Travels. In the Third Part of the novel, Gulliver visits the kingdom of Balnibarbi, a place where science is seen as a goal unto itself and is not used to serve the public interest. Through this contrast, Swift is able to illustrate how science and technology can be used to oppress and control the people if not regulated by a moral and socially conscious government.
