Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift Literary Analysis Essay Sample

Main characters in films, books, and games for obvious reasons are what most people focus on when following the story. But the knowledge and actions that the minor characters pass along to the main character can be a turning point in the story and really change the tone and the direction of the story. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift are a great example of how the actions of the side characters affect the reader and the characters' perspective. Whether it be a conversation between Guliver and the people of Lilliput; or Guliver and the people of Brobdingnag, each conversation contributes to the overall satire. 

Guliver appearing in Brobdingnag had a much different effect than when he arrived in Lilliput. When he was in Lilliput he was seen as an intimidating person that held power over the people. When he arrived in Brobdingnag, Gulilver was seen as an attraction and a spectacle. Swift put this in a way to set up the satirical that would present themselves further into his time in Brobdingnag. Guliver, who represents England and the politics that is currently happening there, is quite proud and thinks that England’s politics is the best way to go. In Brobdingnag, when Gulliver tells the king about English politics and how their position and titles are gained, Swift's satire is outlined by the response of the king. The king believes that the English government is set by no more than "ignorance, idleness, and vice."

Similar to Gulliver's thoughts on politics in Brobdingnag, Gulliver doesn’t like the people. Like I mentioned earlier, the shift of dynamic from when Gulliver was in Lilliput and he held more power over the people, versus now where Guliver is now the small person being dominated by the people of Brobdingnag. The perspective really changed when he was no longer superior. In Brobdingnag the people don't treat Gulliver with much respect except for the farmer's daughter Glumdalclitch. Glumdalclitch is the only one that cares for him.  Which becomes a turning point for the way that Guliver views the people of Brobdingnag. The way Gulmdalcith cares for him shows that scary barbaric giants he once thought they were, are not as evil as they appear. 

The daughter is his only sense of survival where she  brings him clothes, food, and water. Guliver at first is a bit taken aback by this thinking that she was just treating him like a doll or a play thing. But the longer she took care of  Gulliver the more apparent it became that Glumdalclitch did really care for him. This minor character has an effect on the satire. Swift is making a nod at the fact that Britain during this time thought very highly of themselves as a “great nation” (hmm I'm seeing some similarities here), and he was able to show that if Britain were to spend time with other countries the people would realize that they are not so different from each other. 

Age also plays a satirical role here. Typically we can see that children are belittled and not seen as very helpful. Gulliver begins to describe that Gulmdalclitch treats him like a doll, and he is able to see that she really cares for him, he even refers to her as a “little nurse”. This actually goes into the idea of how Swift reflected on the grossness of humanity and how we as humans are all gross. 

Going into a further look into Brobdingnag and why it took longer for Guliver to warm up to the people. Upon Gulliver's arrival  to Broddingnag he was treated like a circus act. The farmer took him around the country to show him off and make money off of him. The farmer was invited to take Gulliver to court. Once at court the Queen asks Gulliver if she could buy him. His response was quite satirical if you think about it. He stated that he needed the farmers permission. Being from England where he is a free man must have really angered him. He, a sideshow, tells the queen  that it is only because he had become tired and worn out did the farmer sell him to the Queen. The farmer wanted to make as much money off of him as possible before he were to die.. Due to the kindness of Gulmdalclitch Gulliver asks the Queen if she may stay with him at court. Glumdalclitch was a very kind girl. They only one to show true kindness and compassion to him. She carried him around in a box so he would be safe. In turn Guliver made sure she was taken care of as well by asking the queen if she could stay with him. It is also kind of a way to get Glumdalclitch away from her father and into a better life. 

The story that Swift created was very powerful in its time. With the political satire and rhetoric. It is still very much relevant. If you think about how or countries are divided each country has its own "set" of islands. Like in the different countries Gulliver traveld to weather it be Brobdingnag or even Lilliput. The differences that Swift outlined for the islands can be felt today in every country in the world.