The Idea Of Freedom In Jonathan Swift's Search For Freedom

If ever there was a novel that highlighted the idea of freedom, Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels would be that novel. It seems only fair that the idea of freedom comes from a natural disaster, as freedom is a natural and intrinsic feeling. However, throughout the novel, Gulliver is anything but ‘free.’ He encounters roadblocks in each world he encounters that do everything but liberate him. In fact, Gulliver’s search for freedom and through that, liberty (both words will be hereafter used interchangeably as the same idea), is one of the major driving points for this novel. However, Gulliver’s search for freedom bring to question the idea of freedom itself, and what it means for someone to be truly free. This essay will explore the many ways

After arriving at Liliput, Gulliver noted his extreme fatigue, and proceeds to fall asleep on the grass. When he arises, Gulliver is anything but free – in fact he is trapped in the most literal form of the word. He notes that he “attempted to rise, but was not able to stir: for as I happened to lie on my Back, I found my Arms and Legs were strongly fastened on each side to the Ground; and my Hair, which was long and thick, [was] tied down in the same manner” (Swift, 23). This scenario is a literal explanation of the freedom that Gulliver does not currently have, and a violation of the freedom that he left London to find. As Gulliver attempts to convey his emotions to the Emperor, he explains that he “made a Sign with my Hand that was loose, putting it to the other … and then over my own Head and Body, to signify that I desired my liberty” (Swift, 26). This statement, and the actions the Lilliputians thereafter shows the reader that even when this novel was written, the idea of liberty was universal. However, Gulliver was not lucky enough to be granted his freedom, and the Emperor declined his request to be free, but did offer him good