Gulliver’s conversion into a reasonable horse and his upcoming hate towards mankind

An investigation of Jonathan Swift’s "Gulliver’s Travels"

The following essay deals with the misanthropy of the protagonist Lemuel Gulliver from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. The question, whether the protagonist’s hate towards mankind can be equated with a possible misanthropy of the author shall not be discussed here. Likewise, the topic of the author’s conception of man will not be examined. The author’s intentions are deliberately excluded to keep the focus on the narrative’s interpretation and relevant secondary literature. Therefore, Swift’s satirical intentions regarding the portrayal of the main character Gulliver will not be taken into account either.

Since Gulliver’s self-knowledge, which makes him become a misanthropist was one of the most discussed issues regarding the reception of Gulliver’s Travels, I want to investigate the reasons, motivations and stages of Gulliver’s conversion, find possibly crucial experiences that lead to his cognition and scrutinize, whether his development is portrayed as credible or not.

In the first part I will scrutinize Gulliver’s attitude to the Houyhnhnms and the influence of his expulsion on his morale. In the second part of my essay I will concentrate on Gulliver becoming a misanthrope and the way his new conception of man is shaped.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Gulliver's relationship to the Houyhnhnms
  • Gulliver's adaptation to and admiration of the Houyhnhnms
  • Expulsion from Houyhnhnm-land
• Gulliver's gradual development towards misanthropy
  • Influencing and persuasion through conversations with the Houyhnhnm master
  • The identification of Yahoos with humans
  • Gulliver's tragic situation after his return to Europe
• Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This essay explores the misanthropy of Lemuel Gulliver, the protagonist of Jonathan Swift's *Gulliver's Travels*, focusing on the reasons, motivations, and stages of his conversion. The essay examines crucial experiences that lead to Gulliver's transformation and assesses whether his development is portrayed credibly. The author's intentions and satirical aims are not discussed to maintain a focus on the narrative's interpretation.

• Gulliver's admiration for the Houyhnhnms and its influence on his view of humanity.
• The role of Gulliver's expulsion from Houyhnhnm-land in shaping his misanthropic perspective.
• The process of Gulliver's conversion into a misanthrope and the factors that contribute to his new understanding of humanity.
• The credibility of Gulliver's development and the potential flaws in his admiration of the Houyhnhnms.
• The implications of Gulliver's experiences and his eventual return to Europe.

Chapter Summaries

This section focuses on the main themes and arguments presented in each chapter, excluding summaries of the conclusion or final chapter.

• **Introduction:** The essay introduces its focus on Gulliver's misanthropy and outlines its scope, excluding the author's intentions and conception of man. It emphasizes the importance of investigating the reasons, motivations, and stages of Gulliver's conversion, considering the credibility of his development.
• **Gulliver's relationship to the Houyhnhnms:** This chapter examines the significance of Gulliver's attitude towards the Houyhnhnms in shaping his perspective on humanity. It highlights Gulliver's admiration for the Houyhnhnms, his experiences among them, and the role of their interactions in influencing his views.
• **Gulliver's adaptation to and admiration of the Houyhnhnms:** This chapter delves into Gulliver's initial encounters with the Houyhnhnms and his growing admiration for their rationality, order, and virtue. It discusses Gulliver's attempts to adapt to their society and his identification with their values. It also explores the influence of Gulliver's sense of well-being and his longing to stay in Houyhnhnm-land.

Keywords

This essay focuses on the themes of misanthropy, reason, human nature, and the influence of societal interactions on individual development. Key concepts include Gulliver's admiration for the Houyhnhnms, his expulsion from their society, and the impact of his experiences on his perception of humanity. It also explores the idea of rationalism versus human frailty and the potential for societal ideals to shape individual beliefs and values.

Details

• College: University of Hamburg
• Grade: 2,7
• Author: Jascha Walter (Author)
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 16
• Catalog Number: V128335
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640348442
• ISBN (Book): 9783640347971
• Language: English
• Tags: Gulliver’s Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels