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  • Essay / Analysis of Politics in Gulliver's Travels

    Change is inevitable; it grows with the next generation and repeatedly sneaks up on those who aren't looking for it. This is true for music, fashion, literature, religion and even politics. The course of each of these topics can change dramatically in a short period of time, but the fundamentals of each are never truly lost. The re-emergence of once obsolete ideals can be proven simply by looking at the past and comparing it to our current situation. This is also seen in literary plots from the 1800s to the present. The novels I focus on, Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Herland, are two excellent examples of retrograde literature and the ability of essential doctrines to move from the past to the novels of the future. Even if the authors do it unknowingly, they are responsible for this continuation and the production of novels with the same or similar concepts. Although Gulliver's Travels was written before Herland, they both mention politics and religion as dominant themes throughout the stories. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essay Gulliver's Travels covers the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver as he discovers a number of unknown settlements with peculiar inhabitants. Although his first reaction upon arriving in Lilliput is one of shock at the small citizens who try to hold him back, he is also confronted with the political system that is the kingdom of Lilliput. The Emperor, a hospitable man once Gulliver provides him with decent entertainment and protection, rules over a noble system and kingdom. This usually successful model is corrupted by the emperor's desire to place his friends and relatives in positions of power, an act of blatant nepotism. In the same way, the king of the Brobdingnagians often considers the actions necessary to make his government at least acceptable, at most exceptional. Other kings, such as the one who reigns over Luggnaggia, refused to consider the political ramifications of his actions; instead, he chose to force his subjects to flatter him and obey his every order and command. Ultimately, King Laputian chose monetary gain over the success of his own kingdom. By selling the land around them, he gained power through money, not respect. Swift may not be inherently misogynistic, but the fact that he continues to place a man as head of all fictional governments in his novel perpetuates the stereotype that women are incapable of leadership. This is likely due to the time period in which Gulliver's Travels was produced. This is simply an unfortunate vision, especially when compared to Herland's equality-focused society. The patriarchal model observed throughout Gulliver's Travels does not easily overlap with the socialist society observed in Herland. Rather than raising a singular person or a small class of wealthy individuals, the women of Herland society focus on communal peace. Treating the entire community as if it were one big family produces individual members who care more about their sisters than themselves. Although some may view this as self-defeating, for this particular society the concept of socialism provides a simple and trustworthy community in which they can raise their children. Common education and community farming ensure that no inequality will take place, thus also ensuring that there will be no quarrels over a “.