Author: Jonathan Swift was an English poet/satirist who lived between 1667 and 1745. He gained much fame due to his satirical genius. He is considered by many the most skillful satirist in the history of the English Language.
Place: In his masterpiece, Gulliver's Travels, Swift presents a protagonist who travels to many nonexistent locations inhabited by mythical people and creatures. In this portion, Gulliver finds himself in the country of the Houyhnhnms. This country is inhabited by Houyhnhnms, half horse-half men, and Yahoos, animalistic human-like creatures.
Date of composition: Gulliver's travels was published in 1726
Goal/Mission: To show one of the extremes of humanity. He depicts a "perfect community" governed solely by Reason. This is the antithesis of the nature of the Yahoos, who live barbarously. Swift satirizes the Houyhnhnms to show a race that lives without passion.
Religious component: What role does it play in civic life?
There is no religious component, everything is governed by Reason
Describe his idea of the social contract.
In this world, Swift depicts a race whose social contract consists of the citizens acting as solely fragments of a functioning machine while the government offers Food, Shelter, and protection.
What is their definition of happiness?
As part of Swift's satire, he shows that the Houyhnhnms live without happiness. They are reasonable, not passionate.
What is the source of human distress (what problems need to be solved)?
The source of human despair in this case is epitomized by the Yahoos.
Swift's Satire of...
Conduct
Decency and Civility are the main virtues in the land of the Houyhnhnms. They are dictated by Reason, therefore friendship and benevolence come with ease.
Sex and marriage
Spouses are made by the combination of physical features. They are forced to bred with horses that will produce a pleasing coat, be strong. But love is in no part of the equation. Arranged marriages because it is one the actions of a rational being. No jealousy, fondness, quarrelling, or discontent. Must produce 2 children, 1 male and 1 female.
Children
They are taught Temperance, Industry, exercise, and cleanliness. They are bred to be athletes and compete in races from young ages. Females and Males are given equal education opportunities.
Labor
There is no specific mention of the amount of labor done by the Houyhnhnms. However, it does say that these creatures are able to perform with thier hooves what humans can do with hands. From what Swift says, the Yahoos seem to be subjected to most hard labor because they are the slaves of society.
Poetry
Poetry isn't really poetry. They are characterized by exactness and perfect description, not beauty.
Economy: how sustained? Wealth & poverty? Private property?
Self-sustaining
Law & justice
No need for this because noone acts irrationally.
Social organization
They have a Representative Council that meets every 4 years to discuss what the community needs.
Foreign relations
No interactions with outside nations.
Jonathan Swift Gulliver and Houyhnhnms Analysis
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