In this term paper I focus on Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, first published in 1726, as a political satire, a book rich in its topics and possible interpretations. However, the novel's function as a political satire – which I exemplarily examine in this paper – is one of its most discussed and obvious ones. Thus, I have a close look at whether, why and how the politician Sir Robert Walpole, a contemporary of Jonathan Swift, is – satirically – represented in Gulliver's Travels.
In order to fully grasp this issue, I start with a summary and comparison of both Jonathan Swift's and Robert Walpole's (political) backgrounds, beliefs, values and ideas, embedded in the historical context of the early 18th century. Then I continue with a discussion that mainly focuses on the following questions: Does the character Flimnap merely represent Robert Walpole or does it rather stand for politicians in general? What could have been Jonathan Swift's (political) intentions to do so? And, finally: How does satire as such then function in this case?
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 18th century (political) satire
2.1 The Sriblerus Club
3 Jonathan Swift and Robert Walpole's (political) backgrounds, beliefs, values and ideas
3.1 The party system
3.2 The role of religion
3.3 Sir Robert Walpole
3.4 Jonathan Swift's politics
4 Gulliver's Travels as a political satire
4.1 Gulliver and his antagonists
5 Does Flimnap represent Walpole? - An exemplary discussion
6 Flimnap's satirical character
6.1 Flimnap as a speaking name
6.2 The rope-dancing scene
6.3 Further functions of Flimnap as a satirical character
6.4 The Atterbury case
7 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" as a work of political satire, specifically investigating whether, how, and why the contemporary politician Sir Robert Walpole is satirized through the character of Flimnap within the narrative.
- Analysis of 18th-century political backgrounds, including the Tory and Whig factions.
- Evaluation of the satirical function of the "Lilliput" episode in the novel.
- Discussion on whether Flimnap is a direct caricature of Walpole or a general archetype for corrupt politicians.
- Examination of specific satirical techniques such as "speaking names," the rope-dancing scene, and historical allusions like the Atterbury case.
Excerpt from the Book
6.2 The rope-dancing scene
Flimnap is first mentioned in the novel at the beginning of chapter three in the context of a rope-dancing scene. This episode mainly serves to satirize 'the incongruity between qualification and office in a corrupt state' (Higgins, 173). This, of course, also implies that the king/queen and his/her court have to create a general set-up in which such inconsistencies can take place at first.
[Thus,] the ministers [(Flimnap included)] perform their grotesque antics to recommend themselves to the monarch. (Higgins, 174)
However, Swift portrays Flimnap as the most dexterous and audacious rope dancer, [who] is allowed to cut a Caper on the strait Rope, at least an Inch higher than any other Lord in the whole Empire (Swift, 25-26).
Swift could have intended to ridicule how politicians in general or especially Robert Walpole achieve powerful positions. Walpole, for instance, was able to articulate well, had good political connections and – in order to his dexterity – was able to find new allies quickly in political affairs. However, this does not automatically imply that the respective person also is in fact a good politician and a person of integrity.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's focus on "Gulliver's Travels" as political satire and introduces the research questions regarding the representation of Sir Robert Walpole.
2 18th century (political) satire: This section defines the golden age of satire and introduces the Scriblerus Club as the primary group of authors associated with political criticism in the early 18th century.
3 Jonathan Swift and Robert Walpole's (political) backgrounds, beliefs, values and ideas: This chapter provides the historical context of the political system, religious divisions, and the biographies of both Swift and Walpole.
4 Gulliver's Travels as a political satire: This section explores the novel's function as a Tory reaction to the Whig oligarchy and the role of the protagonist in the political allegory.
5 Does Flimnap represent Walpole? - An exemplary discussion: This chapter reviews conflicting scholarly opinions regarding whether Flimnap is a specific portrait of Walpole or a broader paradigm of a prime minister.
6 Flimnap's satirical character: This section provides an in-depth analysis of specific satirical devices used to characterize Flimnap, including his name, his actions at court, and his connection to the Atterbury case.
7 Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, concluding that while Flimnap serves as a satirical attack on Walpole, he also represents the general vices of ambitious politicians.
Keywords
Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift, Robert Walpole, Political Satire, Flimnap, 18th Century, Tory, Whig, Scriblerus Club, Rope-dancing, Atterbury Case, Allegory, Prime Minister, Literature, Satire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" specifically as a political satire, focusing on the representation of the politician Sir Robert Walpole through the character of Flimnap.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
The themes include the political climate of early 18th-century England, the party rivalry between Tories and Whigs, the role of satire in political commentary, and the literary function of character archetypes.
What is the central research question?
The central question is whether the character Flimnap is intended specifically to ridicule Robert Walpole, or if he represents the broader class of ambitious, corrupt politicians in a general sense.
Which methodology is employed in the study?
The author uses a qualitative literary analysis, drawing upon historical contexts, biographical data, and existing scholarly interpretations of Swift's works to support their argument.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers historical political backgrounds, the function of satirical literature in the 18th century, a detailed analysis of the character Flimnap, and a discussion of historical allusions such as the Atterbury trial.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Gulliver's Travels, Robert Walpole, Political Satire, Flimnap, Tory, Whig, 18th-century literature, and literary allegory.
How does the author interpret the name "Flimnap"?
The author suggests it is a "speaking name," where "Flim" relates to "flimflam" (trickery) and "Nap" relates to laziness or negligence, serving to satirize the negative traits of political figures.
What is the significance of the "rope-dancing scene" in the analysis?
The scene is interpreted as a satire of the incongruity between qualifications and actual political power in a corrupt government, illustrating how politicians gain influence through questionable dexterity rather than integrity.
How does the Atterbury case relate to the novel's satire?
The author argues that Swift uses the events surrounding the Atterbury trial to criticize Walpole's abuse of power and his tendency to brand political opponents as Jacobites to consolidate his own control.
- Quote paper
- Mag. Andreas Raab (Author), 2005, Gulliver's Travels as a Political Satire, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/125588
