Title: Houyhnhms as Objects of Satire. Category:Literature / English Details: Words: 575 | Pages: 2.4 (approximately 235 words/page)
Houyhnhms as Objects of Satire.
In his novel Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathan Swift uses his main character’s voyage as opportunities to satirize humankind. This is seen in his fourth and final voyage to the land of the Houyhnhnms. These creatures are portrayed as a supposed form of perfection and are even praised by Gulliver, yet Swift’s true intention is to show his philosophy about humanity through the Houyhnhnms. Swift portrays this notion by providing many satirical inconsistencies in the description and behavior of the Houyhnhnms.
An example of …showed first 85 words of 575 total…
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…showed last 85 words of 575 total…that the yahoos should be exterminated while another holds the opinion that the yahoos should be kept as slave workers. This is a shot at the Houyhnhnms supposed reason-based theocratic society.
Over all Swift uses these satirical shots at the Houyhnhnms to show that there truly is no superior being. One cannot be as lifeless as the Houyhnhnms or as wild as the yahoo’s. A balance must be achieved to create an ideal humanity. This is Swift’s point in satirizing the Houyhnhnm society.
