Running head: Gulliver Character Analysis 1

Gulliver Character Analysis

First Name, Last Name

Course Info

Date

This study source was downloaded by 100000830744315 from CourseHero.com on 08-11-2022 08:27:57 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/119847428/answer-1-47docx/
 Gulliver Character Analysis 2

Gulliver Character Analysis

In Gulliver’s Travels, the main character recounts and narrates his adventures after his

business fails and he sets out to sea. In the novel, this character rarely complains and is regarded

as a simple and practical man, although it is satirical and often done in an exaggerated manner.

The novel begins with Gulliver traveling to Lilliput where he is first bound by the small men

who are afraid and ready to attack Gulliver, who appears to be a giant. They feed him and his

adventure continues until he disgraces them and has to return to his home. It does not take

Gulliver long till he is back out on a new adventure. Throughout all of his adventures, Gulliver is

a practical man, who restrains himself and accepts his condition because he sees the viewpoints

of other people.

Gulliver indicates that he is a practical man because he holds restraint when he does not

need to. Before diving into how Gulliver is a practical man, it is important to understand what a

practical man is. A practical man is a man who is flexible, adaptable, and supportive. Gulliver fits

this definition because he immediately adapts to his situation. During the first few chapters,

Gulliver finds himself shipwrecked and tied to the ground on an island called Lilliput. Although

he is confused in the beginning, as noted by this quote "I attempted to rise, but was not able to

stir: for as I happened to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on

each side to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down I the same manner”

(Swift, n.d., pg. 55). Once the confusion wears off and he looks around at the people of the

island, he relaxes and stays still, not breaking from his entanglement, although it would be easy

to do so. Gulliver indicates that he is a practical man because he holds restraint.

Gulliver also indicates that he is a practical man by accepting his conditions. In each of

the new locations he travels to, he takes on a new role, accepting his conditions. During his

This study source was downloaded by 100000830744315 from CourseHero.com on 08-11-2022 08:27:57 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/119847428/answer-1-47docx/
 Gulliver Character Analysis 3

second voyage, he finds himself in the land of Brobdingnagians. This land is filled with giants,

which Gulliver states he is repulsed by. Although he is repulsed by them, he becomes part of the

society they live in. This is regardless of how he likes it or not. In this land, Gulliver is not well-

liked and is treated like an animal yet accepts the conditions of the land and learns to live with it

till he departs. In one section, he states that “This made me reflect how vain an attempt it is for a

man to endeavor to do himself honour among those who are out of all degree of equality or

comparison with him” (Swift, n.d., pg. 163). Like a practical man, Gulliver reflects on his

journey and conditions, as opposed to denying them.

Gulliver indicates that he is a practical man by also seeing the viewpoints of the people

he meets on his journey. During his travels, Gulliver goes to many different lands with different

languages, cultures, and physical styles. Throughout all of this, he listens to the viewpoints of the

people and does so with an open mind, practically. This is especially evident when Gulliver goes

to an unknown land where two different groups of people are fighting and living at war. Gulliver,

like any other practical man, takes his time to learn the native language and converse with them.

He does this because he wants to know their viewpoints and learn from them. He finds out that

“My horses understand me tolerably well; I converser with them at least four hours every day.

They are strangers to bridle or saddle, they live in great amity with me, and friendship to each

other” (Swift, n.d., pg. 339). Houyhnhnms are horse-like people who rule over the Yahoos, who

appear to look like men. Even though the Houyhnhnms do not look like him, Gulliver wants to

stay with them and learn more. This is how he illustrates that he is a practical man.

In conclusion, Gulliver illustrates that he is a practical man by restraining himself and

accepting his condition because he sees the viewpoints of other people. This is done throughout

his travels. He goes to each kingdom with an open mind and heart, ready to learn.

This study source was downloaded by 100000830744315 from CourseHero.com on 08-11-2022 08:27:57 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/119847428/answer-1-47docx/
 Gulliver Character Analysis 4

References

Swift, J. (n.d.). Gulliver’s Travels. https://www.excelhighschool.com

This study source was downloaded by 100000830744315 from CourseHero.com on 08-11-2022 08:27:57 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/119847428/answer-1-47docx/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)