critique fo human nature

angelhorizons · 11-07-2005, 05:42 AM

what part of human nature does swift criticise upon each of the peoples that gulliver encounters? why does he choose horses to represent rationality in particular?

jamsta · 11-20-2009, 10:42 PM

i think swift's through the use of satire attacks human pride through the scatological elements for example, when he wants to relieve himself like in Lillput and Brobdingnag. i believe he tries to degrade the human by using this aspect of our nature

jamsta · 11-20-2009, 10:45 PM

also, i think he uses horses because horses are usually intelligent beings as they represent rationality. hmm...any other ideas why? thats what i think at this point in time.

The Atheist · 11-28-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamsta

i think swift's through the use of satire attacks human pride through the scatological elements for example, when he wants to relieve himself like in Lillput and Brobdingnag. i believe he tries to degrade the human by using this aspect of our nature

Wy to pick a four-year-old thread to reply to!

Welcome along.

You're quite right, and i think Swift was too. Ben Elton does much the same thing from an alien perspective. Humans aren't a particularly "nice" species by most independent yardsticks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamsta

also, i think he uses horses because horses are usually intelligent beings as they represent rationality. hmm...any other ideas why? thats what i think at this point in time.

Yep; horses, brave, strong and true.

They represent everything humans aren't. Right down to vegetarian.

11-07-2005, 05:42 AM	#1
angelhorizons Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3	critique fo human nature what part of human nature does swift criticise upon each of the peoples that gulliver encounters? why does he choose horses to represent rationality in particular?

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11-20-2009, 10:42 PM	#2
jamsta Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4	i think swift's through the use of satire attacks human pride through the scatological elements for example, when he wants to relieve himself like in Lillput and Brobdingnag. i believe he tries to degrade the human by using this aspect of our nature

11-20-2009, 10:45 PM	#3
jamsta Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4	also, i think he uses horses because horses are usually intelligent beings as they represent rationality. hmm...any other ideas why? thats what i think at this point in time.