GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

Who was Jonathan Swift? What is he best known for?

He Born on November 30, 1667, he was an Irish author, a clergyman and a satirist. Jonathan Swift grew up fatherless. Under the care of his uncle, he received a bachelor's degree from Trinity College and then worked as a statesman's assistant. Eventually, he became dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. Most of his writings were published under pseudonyms. He best remembered for his 1728 book Gulliver's Travels.

What literary period does he represent?

Neoclassic period is the period represented by Jonathan Swift because in this period the authors always tried to symbolize the social blame trough comedy.

Define Satire.

Satire is the use of different elements such as irony, sarcasm, humor, and ridicule to criticize or mock the foolish behavior of others. Although the use of satire is often entertaining it is also often used to bring attention to a particular subject and promote change.

Why do you think Swift used this genre?

Jonathan Swift used the Satire genre because he wanted to illustrate some different aspects between the faith and politics with a technique, the one that could help him to ridicule others because of their ignorance.

What do you think Swift's view of humanity is? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?

I totally agree with Swift. He does not just tell the reader what they should think; he instead leads them to a certain point and allows them to decide whether or not he is indeed right and if so by what degree.

What do you think the controversy between the Big-Endians and the Small-Endians represents?

The Big-Endians in that period characterized the Roman Catholicism and the Small-Endians used to symbolize the Protestants.

What do we learn about the Lilliputians with the knowledge that they believe no other kingdoms exist except those of Lilliput and Blefuscu?

In that moment they had a war between Lilliput and Blefuscu, those both kingdoms were fighting because of some land issues and not only was that they had more problems, so for that fight they did not pay attention to other aspects that might be important for them such as that they had some near “kingdoms” that were more powerful than them. 

Why does Gulliver have such a strong reaction against the Yahoos when he first sees them?

Because Gulliver could not believe how repulsive in every aspects they were.

Who are the Struldbruggs? Are they happy to have eternal life?  Why or why not?

The struldbruggs are those humans in the nation of Luggnagg who are born seemingly normal, but are in fact immortal. Struldbruggs do not die, they do nonetheless continue aging. They are normal beings until the reach the age of thirty, at which time they become dejected. Upon reaching the age of eighty they become legally dead, and suffer from many ailments including the loss of eyesight and the loss of hair.