Jonathan Swift

Gulliver's Travels

The story is that of the doctor Lemuel Gulliver who was shipwrecked on the island of Lilliput where everything, starting with the people, is the fifteenth largest part of the people and objects that we know. In the second part of Gulliver's visit to Brobdingnag, where the ratio is reversed, and he becomes the plaything of the daughter of the king who holds it between his toys. In the third part of Gulliver's visit to Laputa and the continent that has as its capital Lagado: satire is directed against philosophers, historians and inventors. The island of Glubdubdrib, Gulliver evokes the shadows of the great antiquity and their answers he discovers vices and pettiness. At the immortal Struldrug realizes that the greatest misfortunes of mankind. In the fourth part, finally, the virtuous simplicity of horses Houyhnhnms is contrasted with the sickening brutality of Yahoo, beasts in human form.

Jonathan Swift

Themes and style

Swift is considered one of the most important British writers. Free and rational spirit, he ridicolarizzò all aspects of social life, which he considered deeply corrupt. But the force of his imagination and ingenuity of his ideas have made of his works are masterpieces. This is demonstrated by the work of Gulliver's Travels that, despite being a social satire, has become a classic for children. The style of Swift, it is always nice and elegant, almost classical in form, often as a clear and exact scientific prose.

Life events

He was born in Dublin in 1667 to English parents who died prematurely; Swift had an unhappy childhood and he studied at religious institutions. In 1689 he found a job as secretary for over ten years, but in 1694 took the religious orders.

In 1714, appointed dean of the cathedral in Dublin, he returned home where he remained until his death in 1745.

He left his fortune to the poor, but a part of it sent it to the construction of an asylum.

Other works

An account of the battle between the ancient and modern books (1704)

A discourse concerning the mechanical operation of the spirit (1704)

A tale of a tub (1704)

Description of the morning (1710)

A description of a city shower (1710)

Argument against abolishing christianity (1708)

The conduct of allies (1711)

A modest proposal (1729)

The lady's dressing room (1732)

On the death of Dr. Swift (1731)

Main works

Letters from a draper (1724): An Essay of social polemic against the dishonesty of politicians, in defense of the Irish people.

Gulliver's Travels (1726), novel adventures, in the form of a narrative enjoyable and fantastic, hides a biting political and social satire and bitter outlook on life.

The journal to Stella: work which contains a series of letters from Swift to Jonhson friend Esther (Stella), very playful, spontaneous, lively prose.