The Use of Satire in Gullivers Travels Essay -- Literary Analysis

Satire is a literary work that uses humor, hyperbole, and derision to ridicule the pitying behaviors and customs. Rather than being judgmental, many writers utilize satire to convey their innovative ideas to change certain aspects of society. From the many writers that used satire to condemn the actions of society, Jonathan Swifts, Gullivers travels, stands as whiz of the best satirical work in human history. Published in 1726, Gullivers travels is an adventure of Lemuel Gulliver whose voyage turns into a series of disasters to various strange islands where he lives with valet and animals of various sizes, behaviors, and philosophies. Through the usage of extended metaphor and symbolism, Swift brings to light numerous religious and political follies of 18th century position society by means of the characterizations of the Lilliputians.Lemuel Gulliver is the third son of his father. He was born in the peaceful county of Nottinghamshire, where he attended post-secondary school at Emanuel College. He became an English surgeon after attending medical school at the prestigious University of Leiden. Even though, Gulliver is a smart man, he is with pop a doubt gullible. He has a simplistic unbiased side of the world. He believes everyone is just as honest and modest as he is while in reality the world is full of corrupted individuals. After University, Gulliver sets out to be a voyager. In his most significant voyage, he travels as a surgeon on the merchant ship, Antelope. While in sea, a harmful storm devastates the ship causing the crewmembers to die. Subsequently, Gulliver washes up on the shores of Lilliput as the only survivor from the Antelope. After waking up from his tribulation, he finds that he is captured and tied down... ...he testis breaking ceremony to emphasize the absurdity of any religious war.(Downie) Throughout the book, Swifts usage of satire brings to light how in the 18th and 19th century the English society was morally, socially, and politically corrupted. Swift makes it clear that every normal person wants to be concerned with honor, gratitude, common sense, and kindness, but on the contrary human intentions be always strayed into a wrong path. Works CitedSwift, Jonathan, and Alfred Bradly Gough. Gullivers Travels. Oxford Eng. Clarendon, 1915. Print.Soens, Lewis A. Gullivers Satire. Google Books. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. .Ewald, Wiliam Bragg. The masks of Jonathan Swift. Oxford, Great Britain Basil Blackwell, 1954.Downie, J.A Jonathan Swift Political writer. London Routledge and kegan Paul, 1984