Gulliver's travels as a satire of the English society; A social context.

Maria Bilal Alsafi: Department of English language and literature.

The University of Jordan, Aqaba.

One of the first studies that researched this topic is “A Timeless Vision of Man, The Moral
Philosophy of Gulliver’s Travels by “Ahlam Salman”. This paper aims at investigating the nature
of man in Gulliver’s travels. It further attempts to explore whether the nature of man is viewed as
good or evil and if it’s rational or emotional. This is performed by comparing and contrasting
between the societies Gulliver has Visited. Additionally, classify their main characteristics as
good, bad, and rational or vice versa. The paper also aims at portraying the instances that
indicate virtue in Gulliver‘s travels.

The second investigation is performed by T. O. Wedel’s article “On The Philosophical

Background of Gulliver’s Travels”. The article provides a criticism of the way the work was
written. Thus, It suggested that the author dislikes mystical elements in one of his tales “the tale
of a tub“. In addition, the paper highlights the main characteristics of some societies in he novel.
Emphasizing their classification as virtuous or vicious. For instance, the Yahoo’s representation
of violence and danger.

The third article “Nature-Reason-Justice in Utopia and Gulliver’s Travels” by “Eugene

Hammond”. This article mainly focused on explaining the social problems Gulliver notices
during his travels. It also analyzes the aspects of the utopian societies he had visited. In addition,
the article examines the proper models of virtue based on the societies he visited. For instance,
the virtue of justice and how it is defined and understood in various social settings. The article
explains how this virtue was practiced by that society and how Gulliver himself views it
compared to his society.

Based on the explanation above, each study showed a significant contribution to the topic of
satire in the English society. Though the articles investigated major topics such as the reality of
the nature of man, and the nature of the utopian societies Gulliver visited. Some lacked
illustrations of the impact of moral values on the protagonist. Most importantly, the way his
social satire impacted his perspective of the English society. Hence, The approach that is used to
compare his society to other societies he visited. On the other hand, the articles weren’t
necessarily highlighting the differences the protagonist noticed between his society and the other
societies he visited, Whether it’s in terms of culture, morals, or virtue. In conclusion, these
articles are very valuable and helpful. Yet they lacked some elements that my paper will attempt
to include during the analysis.
The paper aims at examining the author’s perspective of the English society. It further attempts
to compare and contrast his society to other social settings he had visited throughout his voyages.
Additionally, the paper will be providing an analysis of the ironic and satirical view the author
had toward the English society. Reviewing the major differences that are detected, whether they
are viewed as virtuous or vice versa. Consequently, the paper will demonstrate any personal
findings from these various societies. Along with the influences that are reflected in the author’s
personality and beliefs. As well as providing evidence on whether they are applied in the
author’s life, or not.

The first voyage that Gulliver started his travels with was a visit to the kingdom of Lilliput. The
element that characterizes the kingdom of Lilliput is a clash between moderation and corruption.
It is acknowledged that after the arrival of Gulliver to the kingdom of Lilliput, people’s curiosity
was rising to know and see him. After his arrival, the emperor of Lilliputt was accommodated
with some people of the nobility who came to meet him.

As it’s known that Lilliputians are very small in size, they viewed Gulliver as a giant that would
eventually be threatening to them. Thus, they initially wanted to get rid of him due to his
enormous size, given that he will cost a fortune to feed. Therefore, they sometimes considered
starving him or even shooting him in the face. This can be an indication of corruption and vice
rather than moderation and justice.
Subsequently, Gulliver is accepted into the kingdom, given that the king thought he would be
very helpful to them. However, the emperor and his people reflected signs of hypocrisy and
ungratefulness. For instance, there was a cell in the kingdom that contained multiple ball-like
items, which needed a strong hand to lift. According to Gulliver, the balls were not very heavy
for him “but of no great bulk or weight, for we could hold above fifty of them in the palms of our
hands.”

After that, the emperor commanded Gulliver to carry the items and deliver them to his desired
spot. The tone used by the emperor can indicate impoliteness. Hence, ungratefulness. While
Gulliver was performing the required task, the emperor commanded 3 thousand of his troops to
surround him with weapons. They were carrying bows and arrows. Then he was required to
empty his pocket pistols at the desire of the emperor.

After completing both tasks, the level of astonishment the Lilliputians expressed was
unexplainable. Even though Gulliver has been very helpful to their kingdom, they remain to keep
him as a potential source of threat. This can indicate hypocrisy and a sense of corruption.

The Lilliputian society is viewed as similar to the English society based on several elements. The
first element that makes both societies compatible is the structure of both societies. It is
concluded that the Kingdom of Lilliput and the English society have a sense of hierarchy. both
societies have almost identical hierarchical structures. One example is that both societies are
divided into high class and low class that act and function differently. As mentioned in the novel:
“while I sat in my chair leaning my face towards them; and when I was engaged with one set, the
coachmen would gently drive the others round my table. I have passed many an afternoon very
agreeably in these conversations.”
Based on the above, it is demonstrated that the high class of the Lilliputian society act in a
distinctive way compared to the lower class. For example, the people of the upper class of
Lilliput spend their day with pleasure and entertainment in the city. Hence, for being seen and
known among the people. Similarly, the upper class of the English society also resembles this
feature. They are usually recognized for doing activities in the city such as driving, walking, and
socializing.

Consequently, The author himself satirizes his initial society and the kingdom of Lilliput for
being hierarchical. In addition, The author is Projecting the similarities between the
administration systems of both societies. For instance, the Lilliputian society is ruled by an
emperor, his officers, and his entire court. The English society is similarly ruled by a king or a
queen, the officers of the palace, and the people of the kingdom. Therefore, the ruling systems
are similar. The administration systems in both societies represent the power of the government
and the monarchy. Hence, this aspect of power structures and politics is connecting both
societies, which is another point the author is satirizing for it’s existence in both societies.

There are not many moral values that are concluded from Lilliputians. However,
several immoral and unethical incidents are considered absurd and cruel. The people of Lilliput
are viewed as being cruel, nasty, wicked, and vicious in various instances. Additionally, it is
demonstrated in detail throughout some events. To further illustrate, when Gulliver performed a
task for them, they surrounded him with weapons and arrows. They were ready to attack and kill
him at any moment, despite him being helpful to their kingdom.

Another indication of Lilliputians being wicked and cruel is revealed when Gulliver arrives on
their land. As mentioned in the novel “Sometimes they de-termined to starve me; or at least to
shoot me in the face and hands with poisoned arrows, which would soon despatch me.” They
initially planned to shoot him, poison him, or even starve him to death. Consequently, that
reflects their nature as being evil and wicked. Based on that, Gulliver is portrayed as being
gullible, but the Lilliputians are characterized as cruel and vicious.

As previously discussed, the Lilliputians are a very tiny race. Despite being tiny in size, they are
representatives of excess pride and vanity. The author satirizes them for this characteristic. In
addition, they represent a hypocritical society with an intense law system, that encourages harsh
punishments. They are strictly concerned with reflecting power using military weapons and
arrows. Further, they share a close administration system with the English society. This is the
reason behind the author ironically relating them to his society.

Gulliver’s next voyage is to Brobdingnag. He returns for another adventure and arrives in this
land after being thrown by a storm. Then he’s captured by one of the natives and carried to a
farmer’s house. The first feature that sets Lilliputians apart from the people of Brobdingnag is
size. These people are giant, they are larger in size compared to Lilliputians. However, Gulliver
feels intimidated by this feature. He is terrified by their size and he feels stranded. He
understands the fear Lilliputians had towards him and he considers their perspective.
This aspect of the difference in size resembles an element of irony. He found himself controlled
by a set of tiny people in Lilliput. In that situation, he represented a source of threat for them. On
the other hand, He found himself Among a group of giants in Brobdingnag. Yet, they were a
threat to him, given his small size, compared to their gigantic size.

Another feature that describes Brobdingnagians is morality. Their society can be considered a
representation of utopia. They highly encourage charity and virtual. Evidence on that is
illustrated in an incident in the novel. When Gulliver settled in the farmer’s house people started
to hear about him. Therefore, they wished to see him closely so the farmer suggested to charge
the people to see him. However, the Farmer’s daughter “Glumdalclitch” Who helped him, taught
him the native language and genuinely cared for him, refused her father‘s suggestion. She feels
that it’s immoral and she’s afraid that someone might hurt him, because of his small size. Based
on that, her reaction reflects morality.

Thus, it is concluded that the society of Brobdingnag can be a representation of utopia.

Their society is mostly ruled and motivated by virtue. Unlike the kingdom of Lilliput, which is
moved by harsh law, corruption, and vice. For these reasons, the Brobdingnagians are the
opposite of the English society.

On the contrary, there is another instance that reveals an element of immortality of the farmer
and his daughter. As mentioned in the novel (p.122). “Her Majesty agreed to my petition, and
easily got the farmer’s consent, who was glad enough to have his daughter preferred at court: and
the poor girl herself was not able to hide her joy.”
These lines explain the incident when the farmer attempted to sell Gulliver to the queen as an
amusement toy, and his daughter reluctantly accepts. Although His daughter approves, she
requests to take care of him personally in the palace. Then, Gulliver is sold to the queen as a
mean of entertainment, which reveals how the farmer and his daughter took advantage of him.
Hence, reflecting their association with immortality.

The voyage to the Houyhnhnmland.

Initially, Gulliver is set on the shore of this unknown land that consists of the yahoos and the
Houyhnhnms. Gulliver initially encounters the yahoos, which are a human-like race. These
creatures are characterized as behaving like animals, which is understood through their shape.
Their heads were covered with thick hair, they had beards, yet bare bodies, and they had no tails.
These characteristics make them similar to animals. Another indication of their animal-like
behaviors is the fact that they climbed long trees. Thus, that physical characteristics sets them
apart from other creatures Gulliver has encountered.

Despite their physical appearance, their personal traits are distinct. Gulliver has described them
as being filthy in many instances. “for as to those filthy Yahoos” and he states them as “the
Yahoos were the most filthy, noisome, and deformed animals which nature ever produced.”
These quotations describe the yahoos as being filthy and nasty. One of the reasons is the fact that
they consume every type of food, whether it is clean, suitable or not.

Another feature of the Yahoos is immortality and corruption. The first indication of that is their
endless greed. For instance, yahoos are concerned with collecting shiny stones, but they are
willing to fight and hurt each other over that stone, even though it might not be valuable.
Furthermore, Yahoos are viewed as similar to humans in the sense of greed. As T. O. Wedel
discusses this in his article “On the Philosophical Background of "Gulliver's Travels.” The
author states “like Swift's Yahoos, are " in that condition which is called war; and such a war, as
is of every man against every man. . . with no arts, no letters, no society, and, which is worst of
all, continual fear of violent danger; and the life of man, soli-tary, poor, nasty, brutish, and
short.”

According to this quote, these people are representatives of bad traits that exist in human beings.
This makes them similar to humans in the sense of corruption and greed. They are described as
savage creatures that are fighting over each other to stay alive. They Fight for food, shelter, and
precious items. They are never interested in having culture, art, or any intellectual prosperity,
which is another indication of greed and selfishness.
On the other hand, the greed that’s characterizing Yahoos might make them similar to the
English society. It is acknowledged that greed existed in the English society during that time.
Which was mainly exemplified in the politicians unethical benefit from the society. This, they
can be viewed as being similar to the Yahoos. This is indicative of the author’s satire for the
yahoos being representatives of the bad side of humans, as they are associated with vicious
deeds. This can also be revealing of a negative perspective the author had towards the English
society.

As previously discussed, yahoos are associated with a sense of immortality. Despite their greed,
they are creatures that are only concerned with satisfying their desires. For instance, female
Yahoos are frequently detected while attempting to seduce men. That trait is signifying their
immorality and corruption. Hence, they are representing vice.

The yahoos are viewed as being similar to the English society and culture. Due to their concern
with collecting gold, precious stones, and materialistic items. It is mentioned that they would dig
into the ground in order to search for these items. They would even fight over them, even though
they are not always precious. This feature of materialism resembles their similarities to the
English society. Consequently, Gulliver views both societies as being materialistic. Here, the
author is using the Yahoos as a tool to explain the satire of the English society. In fact, he is
discussing the materialistic system that he encountered in his society in England. Thus, he is
satirizing the English society for their materialism. Therefore, his perspective of both societies is
revealing a fairly negative perspective of the English society, given their materialism.

As previously mentioned, Gulliver encounters another set of creatures on the same land, which
represent the masters of the yahoos. They are called the Houyhnhnms and they physically appear
as ordinary horses.
Initially, Houyhnhnms are rational and calm creatures that represent reason. their features make
them contrast with the yahoos, which are the savage race that settles on the same land. While the
yahoos represent vice, the Houyhnhnms reveal elements of virtue, moderation, and rationality.

As an illustration, when Gulliver arrived to their land, they accepted him with a great sense of
hospitality and generosity. They helped him to eat and taught him some words of their language.
These behaviors indicate them being noble and virtuous. Thus, they differ from the Yahoos in
that sense. While the yahoos are savage creatures that Gulliver feared, Houyhnhnms are pleasant
people that welcomed him properly. Similarly, they contrast with Lilliputians that initially
wanted to poison, starve, or kill him. Therefore,
Houyhnhnms represent a virtuous race, based on the manners and virtues they practice.

Additionally, Houyhnhnms are considered a rational race, that represent the moderate, rational,
and logical aspect of Man. Further, there have been various instances that prove their acquisition
of said characteristics. For example, when a Houyhnhnm initially found Gulliver, he consulted
another person and had a discussion with him before attempting to do anything with Gulliver.
This is indicative of rational and reasonable thinking. Another instance is when they wanted to
feed him, they tired offering him various foods. He refuses many of them, until he accepts
drinking milk. Therefore, they didn’t forcefully feed him, and they tried many options for
realizing what suits him.

Despite the association between virtue, justice and Houyhnhnms, there is another view that
suggests otherwise. The author “Eugene R. Hammond” in his article “Nature-Reason-Justice in
Utopia and Gulliver's Travels” is projecting a distinct viewpoint.

As previously stated, the Houyhuhnms do represent elements of virtue, given their hospitality.
Meanwhile, Hammond proposes in his article that the crucial value that exists among
Houyhuhnms is justice, which is linked to reason and rationality. Hence, they represent aspects
of reason and justice, rather than traditional virtue implied in hospitality.

Additionally, Hammond highlights the way the term“justice” is manipulated and tailored to fit
the desires of the king. He illustrates how all societies Gulliver visited resemble his society
“England” in that sense. To clarify, all the rulers in Gulliver‘s Travels manipulated the concept
of justice for their own benefit. Except for the king of Brobdingnag that seemed to be concerned
with justice. For instance, the king of Luggnagg that forced all his people to “lick the dust before
his Footstool.” Even poisoning it if he desired.
Similarly, the courts of law in Europe, specifically England didn’t exist to provide justice. Yet to
benefit their officers. In brief, all of these kings and rulers, whether fictional or real, have
employed the term“justice” to their own advantage. They utilized it to deceive people into safely
thinking they are well governed.

This discussion of the understanding of the term“justice” resembles another element of satire of
the author regarding the English society. He views the societies he visited as being similar to the
English society in terms of law and justice. Emphasizing that both share a deceiving law system
that manipulates the concept of justice.
Given this analysis, there are instances that show Gulliver’s influence by the societies he
encountered during his voyages. Yet there are other indications that reflect the contrary.
He went through many tough experiences, he was held captive by natives, endangered by giants,
and threatened by savage creatures. Although he was eventually capable to save himself from
danger, he remained to be gullible and naive. He never seemed to be intelligent enough to save
himself from any dangerous situations. For instance, when the farmer in Brobdingnag attempted
to take him as an entertainment toy to the queen, he didn’t resist, neither did he save himself. He
could have cultivated a solution or tried to run away, but he chose to be dull. Hence, he is having
a sense of dullness and unintelligence based on some instances, since he doesn’t seek self-
improvement.

On the contrary, there is an instance that proves a negative influence reflected through Gulliver‘s
personality given his voyages. This negative influence is represented in his selfishness. As an
illustration, the deterioration of his relationship with his family, specifically his wife. There is
indeed a strange evolution in the relationship with his wife. When he continuously abandoned
her and his children to proceed with his voyages, even though she repeatedly asked him not to
leave. He remains to have a sense of selfishness, perhaps because he saw his voyages as more
meaningful and important than his family.

Although it is repeatedly shown that he misses them, he remains to prioritize his travels over
them. This shows Gulliver being portrayed as selfish. Thus, his perspective a family has
changed, due to his passion and drive for traveling. Therefore, he is motivated to see, discover
and learn about different societies. Yet he neglects his own family, which can be considered as a
negative impact of his voyages.

To sum up, this paper aimed to highlight Gulliver’s Travels being a satire of the English
society. Through presenting the author’s perspective of the English society, based on the cultural
exposure he acquired during his voyages. Which was done by comparing and contrasting the
societies to the English society. In addition to projecting any visible similarities or differences.
Hence, some societies were found to be similar to the English society. Such as Lilliputians in the
sense of hypocrisy, injustice and harsh law and administration systems. Other societies differed
from the English society, as the society of Brobdangnag that represents elements of virtue.
Therefore, this analysis shows the author having a fairly negative perspective of his own society
in England.
Additionally, the paper discussed various instances and characteristics that reveal ironic and
satirical views of the author. As he Satirizes them for being materialistic, which was a
characteristic portrayed in the Yahoos. Furthermore, The paper shows evidence that Gulliver did
get influenced by his travels. As he develops a selfish relationship with his wife and children.
Emphasizing that this change can be viewed as a negative impact that is applied on his personal
life.
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