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Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift. Important Facts to Remember. Setting - Early 18th Century Themes: Satirical view of European government and silly differences between religions Raises the question: Are men born corrupt or do they become corrupt? Tone - gullible, satirical, naïve At times bitter and cynical.

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Jonathan Swift

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  1. Jonathan Swift

  2. Important Facts to Remember • Setting - Early 18th Century • Themes: • Satirical view of European government and silly differences between religions • Raises the question: • Are men born corrupt or do they become corrupt? • Tone - gullible, satirical, naïve • At times bitter and cynical

  3. Main Characters • Lemuel Gulliver • Narrator of novel • Middle-aged, middle class, British • Intelligent, well-educated • Naïve • Unaffectionate to wife [barely mentions her in novel]

  4. Main Characters • Lilliputians • Inhabit Lilliput • Only 6 inches tall • Prone to conspiracies and jealousies • Emperor • Ruler of the Lilliputians • Despite small size, loves being in control, exercising his power, and his large palace

  5. Main Characters • Brobdingnagians • Giants that inhabit Brobdingnag • Reasonable, gentle • Ignorant • The Queen • Sweet, kind • Humorous, witty

  6. Main Characters • Yahoos • Dirty, hairy, primitive, but humanlike • Many different kinds • Blonde, redheaded, dark-haired • Servants of Houyhnhnms • Houyhnhnms • Horses • Live in peaceful, simple society • Rule with reason and truthfulness • Do not even have the word “lie” in their vocabulary

  7. Plot Summary • First Journey to Lilliput • Gulliver finds himself shipwrecked • Bound up by Lilliputians • Inhabitants fighting with nearby country over the proper way to crack open eggs; from the little end (littlenders) or the big end (bigenders) • Gulliver aids them fight in war

  8. Plot Summary • Second Journey to Brobdingnag • Gulliver sold and used as a slave, mostly used for entertainment purposes • Meets the Brobdingnagians • Discusses history and policies of his native country with the Queen

  9. Plot Summary • Final Journey to the Country of the Houyhnhnms • Horses rule the deformed Yahoos • Gulliver banished from their society • Feel he is a threat to their civilization • Aware he has a resemblance to a Yahoo

  10. THINK ABOUT IT! • We discussed, in detail, the meaning and some examples of satire. How does Swift satirize the government? Where does he satirize differing religions? Be able to provide examples. • How does Gulliver change as the story progresses? Cite direct examples to support your claim.

  11. Background Information • Written by Jonathan Swift in 1726 • Born in Dublin, Ireland on November 30, 1667 • Attended Dublin University and Oxford University • Famous for essays, novels, poetry, and satirical style • Died October 19, 1745

  12. What Is Satire? • Humorous, witty • Clever, sarcastic • Criticizes event, person, group • Can you think of any modern-day examples of satire? • Television shows, movies, magazines, or books

  13. Resources • Jonathan Swift - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia • Gulliver's Travels - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia • SparkNotes: Gulliver's Travels • Images • Gulliver Image • Gulliver's Travels Book Cover

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