Gulliver's Travels Part 1: Guest Post from my Mom!

When my mom found out I was hosting a few read-alongs, she decided to participate as well. She is a big reader as well and I probably got my love of reading from her. She always has a book ready and waiting. And even though we have very different taste in books, I have gotten some wonderful suggestions from her.

I am glad she decided to join in and I offered to post her thoughts here, since she does not have a blog of her own. So her are her thoughts about the first section of Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift:

Okay, this is my first read-a-long and commentary on any given book. What a book to start with. As I have told Allie, in person, my literature education is sadly lacking. I have not personally read very many ”classics” either as a student or during my adult life. That is one of the reasons why I just love that she is doing this blog on the classics. Her reviews are filling in so many blanks that I’ve had when references in other books I read mention quotes from many of the “classic” literature. I’m also having a bit of trouble remembering my history from the early 1700’s when the setting of the satire of this book takes place. Trying to remember the political parties and Royalty of Europe was not one of my personal strong suits back in my days. I heard of Gulliver’s Travels, when I was younger, but it was not something that was required to read and I really had no idea what this book was about before starting it.

So what I’ve basically got out of Book I of Gulliver’s Travels is the correlation of the little people being Politicians and Royalty of the time. I also think many of the references have to do with the different religions that were a big part of politics back at that time and the influence they had on both the Royal families and politicians. England and France are represented by Lilliput and Blefuscu. The people of these countries will do basically whatever is necessary to get what they want and change the rules or manipulate to justify getting rid of those who do not fit what they believe in themselves or serve their purpose.

I have to say that I truly enjoyed many of his settings, especially, his method of putting out the fire. I can’t help but feel that he was really ingenious in his writing of the many ways to represent people and actions that he is taking his shots at. I think making the little people represent the politicians and royalty is his way of showing that normal people are more moral. Being little is making you small in your thoughts and actions. What also really points out to me, is how this behavior will always be there. Isn’t that how we perceive politicians and Royalty today?

I am looking forward to Book 2.