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
1. Introduction
2. Gulliver’s relationship to the Houyhnhnms
2.1 Gulliver’s adaptation to and admiration of the Houyhnhnms
2.2. Expulsion from Houyhnhnm-land
3. Gulliver’s gradual development towards misanthropy
3.1 Influencing and persuasion through conversations with the Houyhnhnm master
3.2 The identification of Yahoos with humans
3.3 Gulliver’s tragic situation after his return to Europe
4. Conclusion
5. Works cited:
Primary literature
Secondary literature
Objectives and Topics
This essay investigates the psychological and social transition of Lemuel Gulliver in the final book of Jonathan Swift's novel, specifically focusing on his conversion from a lover of mankind into a disillusioned misanthrope following his encounter with the rational Houyhnhnms.
- Analysis of Gulliver’s admiration for the Houyhnhnms and his subsequent alienation from human society.
- Examination of the conversations with the Houyhnhnm master as a catalyst for Gulliver’s self-reflection.
- Discussion of the identification of humans with the repulsive Yahoos.
- Evaluation of the credibility of Gulliver’s transformation and his tragic eventual insanity.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Gulliver’s adaptation to and admiration of the Houyhnhnms
It is conspicuous that at the beginning of Book IV, shortly after his arrival in Houyhnhnm-land, Gulliver shows his philanthropic view and mentions to be a great lover of mankind. Especially in the course of his conversations with his Houyhnhnm master, Gulliver’s attitude towards his fellow countrymen will change.
At the beginning of his encounter with the Houyhnhnms, Gulliver experiences them as orderly, rational, gentle and considerate, while he is astonished to find talking and rational horses. Next he tries to survive in the land of the Houyhnhnms: he needs to find an adequate kind of food and begins to learn the Houyhnhnm language. Gulliver seems to overlook that the Houyhnhnms also pursue an aim: in difference to other leading persons he meets on his voyages in the previous chapters of Gulliver’s Travels, the Houyhnhnms are eager to learn about his home country. The Houyhnhnms’ cold curiosity is clearly stressed, when the Houyhnhnm master makes the other Houyhnhnms treat Gulliver friendly in order to make Gulliver feel good and to make him become more talkative.
What plays the most decisive role in Gulliver’s view of his new acquaintances, is his admiration of their understanding of reason. He sees in the Houyhnhnms the ideal of virtue and reason. Moreover the Houyhnhnms embody the human ideal, which was pursued by the orthodox anthropology of Swift’s times: animal rationale. Therefore it is easily understood that Gulliver tries to identify with the Houyhnhnms. What might also influence his enthusiasm for the Houyhnhnms is his general feeling of well-being. For the first time during his voyages Gulliver has found happiness: he has good nutrition, a decent hut and he can make his own clothes. He leads a healthy and peaceful life and enjoys good conversations with his master Houyhnhnm. Moreover he is free from the temptations and treacheries of Europe.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the essay, focusing on Gulliver's conversion to misanthropy while excluding the author's own satirical intentions from the analysis.
2. Gulliver’s relationship to the Houyhnhnms: This section explores how Gulliver’s high admiration for the rational horses shapes his pessimistic perception of his own species.
2.1 Gulliver’s adaptation to and admiration of the Houyhnhnms: The author discusses Gulliver’s initial happiness, his integration into the society of rational horses, and his emerging delusion regarding their perfection.
2.2. Expulsion from Houyhnhnm-land: This chapter examines the shock of Gulliver’s banishment and how his inability to live in harmony with both human dualism and Houyhnhnm ideals leads to his rejection of mankind.
3. Gulliver’s gradual development towards misanthropy: This part details the moral evolution of the protagonist, arguing that his misanthropy is a direct result of his encounter with an unreachable ideal.
3.1 Influencing and persuasion through conversations with the Houyhnhnm master: The author analyzes how the dialogues with the master influence Gulliver to view his own society as corrupt and morally deficient.
3.2 The identification of Yahoos with humans: This chapter explains the psychological confusion that leads Gulliver to equate the "bestial" Yahoos with humanity, causing his intense self-hatred.
3.3 Gulliver’s tragic situation after his return to Europe: The final analytical chapter covers Gulliver’s failure to reintegrate into human society and his subsequent descent into insanity due to his obsession with absolute reason.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the stages of Gulliver’s conversion and confirms that his final transformation into a misanthrope is portrayed as a credible, albeit tragic, consequence of his experiences.
5. Works cited:: This section lists the primary and secondary sources used for the analysis of Gulliver’s Travels.
Keywords
Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift, Misanthropy, Houyhnhnms, Yahoos, Reason, Human Nature, Adaptation, Rationalism, Moral Evolution, Credibility, Satire, Literary Analysis, Identity, Insanity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines the psychological transformation of Lemuel Gulliver in Jonathan Swift’s "Gulliver's Travels," specifically tracing his journey from a lover of mankind to a misanthropist.
What are the primary themes explored in the text?
Central themes include the conflict between reason and humanity, the theriophilic paradox, the identification of humans with Yahoos, and the tragic consequences of pursuing unattainable rational ideals.
What is the main research question?
The essay investigates the motivations and stages of Gulliver’s conversion and scrutinizes whether this development is portrayed as a credible behavioral pattern.
Which methodology is applied in this study?
The work utilizes a narrative analysis approach, drawing upon relevant secondary literature to interpret the protagonist’s shift in worldview throughout Book IV.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers Gulliver’s relationship with the Houyhnhnms, the role of their dialogues, the psychological confusion between humans and Yahoos, and the aftermath of his return to Europe.
Which keywords define this analysis?
The analysis is characterized by terms such as misanthropy, Houyhnhnms, rationalism, moral evolution, and identity, among others.
How do conversations with the Houyhnhnm master influence Gulliver?
These conversations act as a catalyst for his self-reflection, as the master’s objective criticisms make Gulliver realize the negative aspects and contradictions of his own society.
Why does Gulliver eventually descend into insanity?
Gulliver becomes insane because he is unable to reconcile his experiences in the land of rational horses with his own human nature, leading to a tragic, failed attempt to live by "pure reason."
- Quote paper
- Jascha Walter (Author), 2006, Gulliver’s conversion into a reasonable horse and his upcoming hate towards mankind, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/128335
