A Magnificent Satirical Epic

Gulliver's Travels, one of the greatest satirical works in English literature, has occupied a wide range of readers in the world and its literary achievements has made Swift's name print in the literary history and also won him a worldwide reputation. Gulliver's Travels has unique artistic style, abundant content. Through a series of stunning satiric skill, the author expressed his views on the politics, science, ideology, as well as human nature.A. Satire of politics.When Swift started writing Gulliver's Travels in 1720, he has been in political work for many years. Years of political career let him know the corruption of British government, also accumulated a lot of material for his creation. Gulliver's Travels can be seen as a satirical epic of politics. In the novel, Swift used irony, exaggeration, contrast and allusion to satirize the political situation of British and also sets forth his own political ideals, so the novel comprehensively reflected Swift's thinking.In Lilliput and Laputa , Swift used allusion as the main approach to use irony to satirize the current situation, he satirized the corruption and the unrealistic scientific research. While in Brobdingnag and Houyhnhnm, Gulliver mainly played the role of the defence, and expressed the with criticism towards British or even the whole Europe by the mouth of the king of Brobdingnag and the Houyhnhnms. At the same time, Swift brought out his own political ideals in Gulliver's Travels. He used a large amount of contrast and exaggeration as complementary methods, the purpose is to prove that: Although the political system of Brobdingnag and the Houyhnhnm is different, it's what the author pursued and admired. They are the political utopia which Swift painstakingly constructed.B. Satire of human nature.The author also stated the survey and thinking of human nature in Gulliver's Travels. As a narrator, Gulliver's status has always been changing, which has led to the change of the perspective, it will help Gulliver to observe the human nature more comprehensively. The satire of human nature in the novel is manifested in the following aspects: First, from Brobdingnag to Lilliput——to see human insignificance through the change of perspective; Second, to survey human evil from the perspective of valuing the ancient and neglecting the modern times; Third, Struldbrug——to witness the breaking of the dreams about living for a long life; Fourth, Yahoo——the ultimate irony of human nature.Swift's depiction about Yahoo has aroused dissatisfaction of the researchers, many people think that he tired of mankind. In fact, he did not compliment or praise mankind, but there is also no hatred and denigrate in his writing. From his positive attitude in British and Irish social affairs we can see his concerns with his fellowmen. His works only expressed his disappointment, which anybody may have.