Lilliputians Use Of Satire In Swift's Gulliver

. In one instance, the Lilliputians treat Gulliver as if he is a god. They appease his wants and needs, despite the fact that such provisions may cause a famine, due to his substantially larger consumption needs. This shows their devotion and admiration of the “man-mountain” Gulliver. Behind the satire, the Lilliputians represent the lower class because they deify Gulliver (upper class) due to his Goliath- like stature. The Lilliputians also represent the lower class, because they generally live a moral, complacent and virtually powerless life, without the needs of worldly things. For example, “They took fraud as a greater crime than theft, and therefore seldom fail to punish it with death,” ( ) which shows their moralistically ideal society. Although they appear morally utopic, the Lilliputians still had a raging war with Blefuscu

He does this by mirroring the societies of Lilliput and Brobdingnag. For example, society should not figuratively “rope dance” ( ) to get their government positions (Lilliput), but should still not be so naïve, that they call the English society “odious vermins” ( ) (Brodingnag). Swift’s message is depicted through the thoughtful laughter created by the contrasting islands. Where there are very comical, humorous, and fantastical differences, there are also lessons of the two extremes of social echelons in 18th century England. The gullible Gulliver mirrors the reader in that he is sometimes amused by both societies’ ways, yet rationally, learns of their irrational absurdities. The mirroring of Lilliput and Brobdingnag, along with the Juvenal satire behind the contrast, emphasizes the central meaning of Gulliver’s Travels, showing that although both societies are seemingly perfect, they still have flaws and therefore, modern man continues and will forever continue his search for a utopian