Published in 1726, Gulliver’s Travels is a work of fiction by Irish writer Jonathan Swift who was also a clergyman. The book can be defined as both a parody of the “traveler’s tales” as well as a spoof on human nature. The book is widely regarded as one of the all-time classic books of English Literature which can be judged from the fact that even after 300 years later the book is widely read and extolled.
The book also marked the widespread of English Literature and during the mid-17th century a range of new books and views flooded the Literature field.
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The book has been so significantly popular since its publication that it has been never out of print.
The book describes Gulliver’s experiences when he goes on four separate voyages. Each voyage is preceded by a storm and the new perspectives to the life of Gulliver.
Gulliver’s first voyage is Lilliput where Lilliputians are shown as small whereas in comparison of them Gulliver is huge. The first impression of Lilliputians is friendly but later they turn out to be outlandish and petty creatures to the audience. Here, Gulliver is convicted of treason for committing crimes which included “making water” where he was trying to save countless lives by extinguishing a fire using water.
Gulliver’s second voyage is to a place where he is portrayed as a small creature amongst the land of Giants named Brobdingnag. At first, Gulliver is afraid but his keepers astonishingly turn out to be gentle. Here, Gulliver is humiliated by the King where he is made to realize the difference between ho England is and how it should be.
Gulliver’s third voyage is to a place named Laputa which is neighboring Luggnagg and Glubdugdribb. When he visits to the island of Glubdugdribb, Gulliver develops ability to call up the dead learns the deceptions of history. The population of Laputa consists of people who are over-thinkers as well as ridiculous. He also meets a race gifted with immortality known as Stuldbrugs and later realizes that they are miserable too.
Gulliver’s fourth voyage is to the Houyhnhnms, which consists of horses endowed with reason. These are clean, simple and rational people who are contrasted with the brutality and muckiness of beasts which are in the shape of humans known as Yahoos. Gulliver stays with them for many years and develops a great rapport with them. When the people tell him that his time to leave has arrived, Gulliver faints from grief. After returning to England, Gulliver feels disgusted about the society including his own family.
The book has become so popular that the term “Lilliputian” has entered many languages which have become synonyms with small and delicate. There is even a brand of small cigar called as Lilliput. This book will remain as an all time classic in the minds and hearts of many generations to come.
