The underlying theme in Book 1 is satirical relationships between the ridiculous Lilliputian culture and European lifestyle in the 17th century. Jonathon Swift lived from 1667 to 1745, and was an Anglo-Irish member of both the Whig and Tory political parties. Much of his prose is satire reflecting on religion, politics, and culture of his time, and Gulliver's Travels, his most famous work, is rich with underlying parallels to European history. Right out of the starting block in Chapter 1, he uses the classic travel log style of sailors to increase the satirical view and disbelief of the wonders he sees. Also, the description of the Lilliputians relates them to native inhabitants of America before the European colonization, and his size differential between the two is metaphorical to culture and power differences. In addition to that, the points of view and beliefs show perspective in power. In Gulliver's eyes, the Lilliputians are pitiful, tiny creatures in this strange tiny world, but in their eyes he is a grotesque intruding giant.
Further on, learning more about the culture of the Lilliputians and their issues is direct satire on European social issues and culture, and reflect on Swifts life as well. Let's start with the culture. In chapter 3, he learns that Lilliputian ministers must almost literally jump through hoops to get a role in government. This pokes fun at arbitrary and ridiculous traditions in British government. Also, he discusses all of these traditions in the most serious tone, increasing the comedy for the reader to infer. Rather than directly stating the absurdity of the culture, he merely reports it and allows the reader to appreciate the satire.
Other social issues include the egg-cracking, heel heights, and war between Blefuscu and Lilliput. Each make foolishness of the self-righteousness and interpretation in religion, political tension, and national rivalry between France and Britain.
Overall, Swift's clever satirical view on silly issues in Lilliput gives perspective for human interpretation on our own issues, and is intended to open the readers eyes, because we could easily the Lilliputians ourselves.
That explains why Jonathan Swift writes that Gulliver finds an English ship on his leave from Lilliput. It wasn't Dutch, Spanish, French, or any other nationality. It was English. So is Swift pretty biased to write in Gulliver's Travels about English people since he is English?
ReplyDeletei think he is primarily writing about English issues because, yes, he is English and he is living in these times of political and religious turmoil. His message is from an Englishman to the Englishmen about their ridiculous disagreements over trivial things, and that's why his focus is on English problems.
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