Houyhnhms as Objects of Satire.

A detailed Summary of 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 the inconsistencies is found in the third chapter. Here Gulliver is being examined by a Houyhnhnm and is declared a Yahoo. The houyhnms claim to be dominated by reasonable thoughts yet describing Gulliver as a yahoo is a sign of ignorance and not of reason. For if Gulliver were a yahoo he would not have the mental capacity or t

he civility to act as curdious as he did to the Houyhnhnms at first sight. Also, were he a yahoo, would be unable to learn the language of the Houyhnhnms. Therefore, the Houyhnhnms are judging Gulliver solely upon his physical appearance. Yet because the Houyhnhnms are unable to think them selves wrong, they simply accept Gulliver as a yahoo rather than accept a humanoid as a creature of reason.

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.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Houyhnhnms Houyhnhnms, Animal Farm, Houyhnhnms Swift, Jonathan Swift, Gulliver Swift's, gulliver yahoo, sense superiority, , physical appearance,

Approximate Word count = 570
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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