Gulliver's Travels

Story

After his business collapses, Lemuel Gulliver, a ship’s surgeon, sets sail around the world. When his ship is wrecked on uncharted shores and he is taken captive, he has the first of many encounters with exotic people and creatures in fantastical lands, and Gulliver comes to see his own homeland with different eyes.

Why we chose it

Gulliver’s Travels is both a classic satire, which has influenced and inspired many later authors and an imaginative travel fantasy, which appeals to children.

Where it came from

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) was an essayist and poet. He wrote Gulliver’s Travels during a time of British exploration and expansion as a parody of the romantic travel journals common at the time. The novel is a commentary on British politics and culture.

Where it went next

Although it faced some criticism upon publication due to its political implications, Gulliver’s Travels was well received by the public. There have been numerous sequels and works inspired by the original novel and many film adaptations.

Associated stories

Other well-known satire by Swift includes: A Tale of a Tub and A Modest Proposal.