English Literature – Genre | e-Consult

Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels is a masterful example of satire, employing a range of techniques to expose the follies and hypocrisies of 18th-century English society. Swift doesn't offer direct condemnation; instead, he uses fantastical narratives and exaggerated scenarios to subtly critique political, social, and intellectual institutions. Exaggeration is a cornerstone of Swift's satirical approach. His encounters with the Lilliputians, the Brobdingnagians, the Houyhnhnms, and the Yahoos are not simply fantastical adventures but allegorical representations of human flaws and societal problems. The Lilliputians, with their petty political squabbles, satirize the political factions of England. The Brobdingnagians, with their perceived perfection, highlight the vanity and self-importance of the ruling class.

Irony is also crucial. Gulliver, presented as a rational and educated man, is repeatedly subjected to absurd situations and is often the victim of the societies he encounters. This irony underscores the absurdity of human behavior and the limitations of reason. Parody is employed to ridicule specific literary and philosophical trends of the time. The flying islands of Laputa satirize the impracticality of abstract intellectualism, while the Yahoos represent the baser instincts of humanity. Swift’s satirical intent is not to offer solutions but to provoke critical reflection on the flaws within society. The novel’s enduring power lies in its ability to expose timeless human failings through a uniquely imaginative and darkly humorous lens. It’s a powerful critique of power, ambition, and the human tendency towards self-deception.