1. Jonathan Swift

2. Background Information
Written by Jonathan Swift in 1726
Born in Dublin, Ireland on November 30, 1667
Attended Dublin University and Oxford University
Famous for essays, novels, poetry, and satirical style
Died October 19, 1745

3. What Is Satire? Humorous, witty Clever, sarcastic
Criticizes event, person, group
Can you think of any modern-day examples of satire?
Television shows, movies, magazines, or books

4. Introduction
The book contains four parts, each dealing with one particular voyage during which Gulliver meets with extraordinary adventures on some remote island after he has met with shipwreck of piracy of some other misfortune.

5. Main Characters Lemuel Gulliver Narrator of novel
Middle-aged, middle class, British
Intelligent, well-educated
Naïve
Unaffectionate to wife [barely mentions her in novel]

6. Main Characters Lilliputians Emperor Inhabit Lilliput
Only 6 inches tall
Prone to conspiracies and jealousies
Emperor
Ruler of the Lilliputians
Despite small size, loves being in control, exercising his power, and his large palace

7. Main Characters Brobdingnagians The Queen The King
Giants that inhabit Brobdingnag
Reasonable, gentle
Ignorant
The Queen
Sweet, kind
Humorous, witty
The King
Intellectual, rational
Does not know much about politics
* Both Queen and King rule Brobdingnag *

8. Main Characters Yahoos Houyhnhnms
Dirty, hairy, primitive, but humanlike
Many different kinds
Blonde, redheaded, dark-haired
Servants of Houyhnhnms
Houyhnhnms
Horses
Live in peaceful, simple society
Rule with reason and truthfulness
Do not even have the word “lie” in their vocabulary

9. Plot Summary First Journey to Lilliput
Gulliver finds himself shipwrecked
Bound up by Lilliputians
Inhabitants fighting with nearby country over the proper way to crack open eggs; from the little end (littlenders) or the big end (bigenders)
Gulliver aids them fight in war

10. His Time in Lilliput
He finds that the population is split between 'Big Enders' and 'Little Enders‘
The Emperor who is keen to go to war with Belfuscu and the defecting 'Big Enders‘
The Empress who originally likes Gulliver, but is then offended when he urinates on buildings to put out a fire

11. Plot Summary Second Journey to Brobdingnag
Gulliver sold and used as a slave, mostly used for entertainment purposes
Meets the Brobdingnagians
Discusses history and policies of his native country with the King

12. Plot Summary Final Journey to the Country of the Houyhnhnms
Horses rule the deformed Yahoos
Gulliver banished from their society
Feel he is a threat to their civilization
Aware he has a resemblance to a Yahoo

13. Important Facts to Remember
Setting - Early 18th Century
Themes:
Satirical view of European government and silly differences between religions
Raises the question:
Are men born corrupt or do they become corrupt?
Tone - gullible, satirical, naïve
At times bitter and cynical

14. THINK ABOUT IT!
We discussed the meaning and some examples of satire. How does Swift satirize the government? Where does he satirize differing religions?
How does Gulliver change as the story progresses?