Gulliver’s Travels

“Undoubtedly philosophers are in the right when they tell us that nothing is great or little otherwise than by comparison.” Lemuel Gulliver was an ambitious and naïve ship surgeon, who believed people were heroes at heart with an inherent goodwill. All his beliefs shattered when he set out on an unusual adventure on remote islands inhabited by people and creatures of different sizes. On the first Island, the Lilliputians only six inches tall, represent the dangers of petty partisanship. The Brobdingnagians, who are giants, show him the dangers of absolute power and the importance of humility. And the Houyhnhnms, the intelligent horses, show how important it is to have reason and virtue. However, he eventually comes to realize that the none of them are perfect, and he begins to miss his own kind. Will Gulliver’s travels make him realize that the human race has more vices than virtues? After a thrilling and endearing journey, will Gulliver return as a changed compassionate man?