Gulliver's Travels – Innocent Nature
I disagree that Gulliver is a naive narrator and therefore doesn't see a connection between knowledge and the acquisition of power. As R.Davis and R. Schleifer wrote, "Gulliver, gullibly suited like the rest of us, never quite understands the ... relationship between knowledge and power." There is a very close relationship between knowledge and power. With them being such important traits, each one seems to be included with the other. In Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift, the use of satirical writing on both the island of Lilliput and Brobdingang serve to make the narrator a gullible character therefore excusing critiques of English government and politics.
On the island of Lilliput, in Jonathan Swift's book, Gulliver's Travels, Gulliver's innocent nature satirize the story. Upon arriving mysteriously on Lilliput, Gulliver was tied down and his weapons taken away. To his surprise his captors were only six inches tall. Gulliver's pacifist attitude allowed him to befriend the Lilliputians, but instead of becoming hostile he shares his world's points of view. By being friendly it allows the true theme of the novel to be revealed. The irony in the satire is seen with all the coincidences and fitting comparisons that the Lilliputians share with Gulliver's English government. The idea of an advanced diplomatic race of people that are only six inches tall is humorous and keeps the reader interested. Gulliver's gullibility even drives him to the point of getting involved with island affairs by taking enemy ships out of commission. Because of Gulliver's great size he does this with ease, thus showing his dominate presence on that island. After completing that visual act, Gulliver's knowledge is seen by being in opposition against the king's suggestion for him to finish dismantling the enemy fleet. The fact that Gulliver only uses his power once is significant. It is only through the irony of the events that Gulliver's power leads him to exhibit his knowledge. On the other hand, his voyage to Brobdingnag proves to be vice versa.
In an excerpt entitled "A Voyage to Brobdingnag" from Jonathan Swift's book, Gulliver's Travels, our narrator was befriended by the king of the island and it was through their sarcastic dialogue that the purpose of satirical writing was achieved. Contrary to Lilliput, the inhabitants of Brobdingnag are twelve times the size of Gulliver. So on this island Gulliver must use his knowledge to gain power. Gulliver is the king of Brobdingnag's pet who the king uses as an entertainment. Their conversations revolve around Gulliver talking about England. The king responds by openly mocking Gulliver's historical account of the last century in England. He undermines Gulliver and his society from the beginning because of his size. It was only through the use of Gulliver's knowledge on gunpowder and cannons that he gains respect. Upon teaching the king's men how to build such a devastatingly powerful machine the king refused to use the new invention and commanded Gulliver not to reveal it to anyone else. The king was so scared of the cannon which came from Gulliver's knowledge of artillery that it causes the power to change hands. With the King's fear comes Gulliver's power despite his size.
In conclusion, it was only necessary for Jonathan Swift to depict his narrator, our only source, as being naive. The fact that in actuality Gulliver always had the upper hand in the story satirizes Swift's tale. Conclusively by satirizing the story, Swift mocks England's permanent stance on government and politics. The art of satirical writing grants him license to mask his true beliefs. These are beliefs which are revealed only to the intuitive reader
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