Satire in part IV: The Human Condition

The overall plot of Gulliver's adventure to the land of the Houyhnhnm's was interesting, and very straight forward in its satire on human society. In the previous three books, satirical themes had been implied through comparisons with the different cultures to show the foolishness of humans. However, with this book, there are direct comparisons made with the Yahoo's and explained in the last chapter to make an impact, wrapping up the book itself. Italicization of important words sends the message more effectively, and the reader is bound to understand the points Swift is making on the human condition. He specifically singles out that of our primal instincts, and inner drivings of greed, hatred, and jealousy. The reversal of the roles of humans and horses, masters and servants, are quite stimulating of thought. However offensive the entries were towards our race, much of it was true and rather eye-opening. With our useless wars, puppet government, and more, his satire on the race which he directly states about Europe was a good way to communicate Swift's point.