Swift Commentary Essay

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Walter One of the most frequently analyzed works in literature; Gulliver’s Travels, written by Jonathan Swift, satirizes the human condition, specifically the religious strife between the Protestants and the Catholics, the scientists’ negative impact upon humanity, and the lifestyles of the Yahoos, unkempt humanlike beasts in contrast to that of the Houyhnhnms, who are portrayed as rational horses. He mocks these customs on repeated occasions throughout the novel. Though Swift’s piece appears to be a travel log chronicling the adventures of a man, Lemuel Gulliver, the log is primarily known for its satire that have aroused many public opinions, both good and bad. Thus, Gulliver’s Travels controversial nature lends itself to multiple criticisms. One of these many literary critics of Jonathan Swift’s satirical piece, Ernest Tuveson, focuses on the theological views of Swift that influence his satire. He brings “together the two sides of a man which tradition has separated: Jonathan Swift, the satirist, and Dr. Swift the dean” (102). Based on Tuveson’s deductive reasoning that logically develops an argument regarding of the nature of Jonathan’s Swift’s satire, the reader strongly agrees with the critics take on the genuity and goodwill in mankind that is deductively reasoned However, when Tuveson analyzes specific pieces of satire in Gulliver’s Travels, either/or fallacies and an argumentum hominem, an “argument to man” fallacy emerge in the text, making the reader disagree with the dimensions of people who prevail over sin, Lemuel Gulliver’s place in society, and the extent to which Jonathan Swift’s personal life influences his works. Tuveson utilizes deductive reasoning when he writes his famous letter on September 29, 1725 to the Pope in order to explain the truth regarding human nature in opposition to illusion. The critic states, “The question of nature also

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