Jonathan Swift’s "Gulliver’s Travels" is a timeless creation: Is This Really a Children’s Book?

“I found how the World had been misled by prostitute Writers, to ascribe the greatest Exploits in War to Cowards, the wisest Counsel to Fools, Sincerity to Flatterers, Roman Virtue to Betrayers of their Country, Piety to Atheists, Chastity to Sodomites, Truth to Informers.”

Jonathan Swift’s

 Gulliver’s Travels (Part III)

Jonathan Swift’s "Gulliver’s Travels" is a timeless creation. George Orwell considered it to be one of the finest five works of world literature. Gulliver’s Travels resembles Daniel Defoe’s "Robinson Crusoe". But it is not merely an adventurous travel tale. It is more than that. The creator had some basic viewpoints about life. He makes it dear that he will advocate his unbiased view of life in the guise of some exciting story. The obvious source of attraction of the book is its rich humour. Read More Novel It is written in a technique of a science fiction. But the most striking feature of the tale is the satire inherent in the different situations of life. He worked very hard with this book not only to parody travel writing (Robinson Crusoe had just been published about the time that Swift began serious work on Gulliver’s Travels), and to satirize the politics of his age, but to point out human folly in many forms. In the original work Gulliver has undertaken four journeys. The interesting are the two— Gulliver’s journey to the land of Lilliput and to the land of Brobdingnag. Read More Novel Through these two journeys the narrator presents two contrasting views of life. He has seen humanity from two different angles. As a physically superior being he sees mankind as ridiculously small. Again, as an inferior human being he finds human race as ‘grotesquely’ large. Now, through these two different sets of experiences Gulliver’s character changes and progresses into wider shapes.

Gulliver in the land of Lilliput is a giant. He seems to be the lord of the land. He takes pity on others, diminutive in shape, size and strength. The tiny creatures look ridiculous to him. He is alone a match for thousands and thousands of their species. He is the master of all situations. 

Jonathan Swift

But the situation drastically changes with Gulliver’s arrival in the land of Brobdingnag. Here he is a Lilliput. The gigantic creatures begin to take pity on him. Gulliver is wise enough to adjust himself with these altered circumstances. He often feels bad when the giants criticize human beings of his shape and size. During his stay at Brobdingnag, he realizes how iffy man is with all his vanity about his own superiority. Read More Novel Often the idea of superiority in any field is but relative. Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where we realize our exact power and strength. Naturally, the moral lesson we learn from this book is the necessity of tolerance. The writer’s moral purpose, if he has any, is that we must uphold the value of tolerance in order to live a balanced life. The two journeys of Gulliver, in fact, seek to strike a balance between two contradictory situations. Those who can adjust themselves to the opposing views of life can lead a meaningful life. This may be a lesson we learn from this book. 

"Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift has endured the test of time, captivating readers across generations. While commonly categorized as a children's book, its profound layers of satire, political commentary, and social criticism elevate it beyond the confines of a simple juvenile narrative. Swift's masterful storytelling and imaginative world-building have allowed "Gulliver's Travels" to retain its relevance and appeal to readers of all ages.

At first glance, the novel appears to be a whimsical tale of Lemuel Gulliver's adventures in fantastical lands inhabited by peculiar beings. From the diminutive Lilliputians to the giant Brobdingnagians, and the intelligent horses of the Houyhnhnms, Swift crafts a series of captivating and imaginative worlds that seem tailor-made for young readers. The novel's episodic structure and Gulliver's encounters with bizarre creatures contribute to its initial classification as a children's book.

However, beneath the surface, Swift weaves a tapestry of satirical elements that transcends the boundaries of children's literature. The author employs Gulliver's voyages as a vehicle to critique and lampoon various aspects of 18th-century English society. For instance, the depiction of the Lilliputian and Blefuscu conflict serves as a satirical commentary on the triviality of religious disputes and the absurdity of political conflicts. Swift's sharp wit and clever wordplay are evident as he exposes the follies and vices of the ruling class.

The second voyage, which takes Gulliver to Brobdingnag, introduces a stark contrast to the Lilliputian world. Here, Gulliver becomes the miniature figure in a land of giants, emphasizing the relative nature of power and perception. Swift uses this episode to scrutinize the flaws of human nature, portraying the Brobdingnagians as morally superior despite their physical enormity. Through this lens, Swift challenges societal norms and prompts readers, young and old alike, to reflect on their own preconceptions.

As Gulliver embarks on subsequent voyages to Laputa, Balnibarbi, and the flying island of Laputa, Swift extends his satirical gaze to the realms of science, academia, and intellectual arrogance. The Laputians' obsession with abstract knowledge at the expense of practical wisdom is a scathing commentary on the disconnect between theoretical pursuits and real-world applicability. Swift's portrayal of Laputa as a floating symbol of detached intellectualism remains a poignant critique of societal priorities.

The novel's final voyage to the land of the Houyhnhnms introduces a world governed by rational and equine creatures, while the human-like Yahoos represent the brutish and irrational side of humanity. Swift's inversion of traditional hierarchies prompts readers to question their assumptions about civilization, morality, and what it means to be human. The Houyhnhnm episode, with its philosophical undertones, challenges not only the young reader's understanding of morality but also invites adult readers to engage with profound existential questions.

Swift's language and style add another layer of complexity to "Gulliver's Travels." The seemingly straightforward narrative, presented as Gulliver's personal account of his journeys, belies the sophisticated satire embedded in the text. Swift employs irony, sarcasm, and allegory to deliver his critiques, creating a multi-faceted work that invites readers to unravel its deeper meanings. This linguistic richness ensures that the novel remains intellectually stimulating for adult readers, who can appreciate the subtleties and nuances woven into the fabric of Swift's prose.

The enduring relevance of "Gulliver's Travels" lies in its ability to resonate with readers of different ages and backgrounds. Children may delight in the whimsical adventures and peculiar creatures, while adults can appreciate the layers of social and political commentary that transcend the superficial trappings of a traditional children's book. Swift's exploration of human nature, morality, and societal norms speaks to the universal themes that continue to shape the human experience.

This is not really a children’s book, but it has been seen as a children’s story. Over time what was considered fit reading for children has changed, as Professor J. R. R. Tolkien observed. Most modern children’s and school editions of Gulliver’s Travels are edited in one way or another. Read More Novel For younger children, the tale is often retold in a simpler, modern idiom, and some episodes, sometimes the whole third and fourth books, are eliminated. School versions sometimes use Swift’s original text and include all four parts, but remove the elements considered inappropriate for young readers. As Swift said in Book IV of Gulliver’s Travels: “My principal Design was to inform, and not to amuse thee.”

In conclusion, while "Gulliver's Travels" may be packaged as a children's book due to its fantastical elements and episodic structure, it is undeniably a timeless creation that transcends age categorizations. Jonathan Swift's keen insight into the human condition, coupled with his masterful use of satire and allegory, elevates the novel to a work that speaks to readers of all ages. Whether one approaches it as a whimsical adventure or a profound exploration of society, "Gulliver's Travels" remains a literary masterpiece that continues to captivate and challenge readers, making it a truly enduring and universal work of fiction. What are your thoughts on this exploration of "Gulliver's Travels"?

Key Points:

"Jonathan Swift’s "Gulliver’s Travels" is a timeless creation that challenges its classification as a children's book:

Satirical Elements: The novel uses satire to critique politics, society, and human nature.

Complex Themes: Swift explores philosophical and moral dilemmas, going beyond typical children's literature.

Critical Commentary: The story's allegorical nature demands mature interpretation.

Layered Narratives: Different levels of meaning make it appealing to adult readers.

Enduring Relevance: The book's themes and insights resonate across generations.

"Gulliver’s Travels" is a multifaceted work that transcends the confines of children's literature."

Ardhendu De 

Ref:

Swift, J. (1950). Gulliver's travels. Harper.

Smith, J. D. (2012). The satire of human nature in Gulliver's Travels. Journal of English Literature, 123(4), 567-578.