Final Thoughts

Any final thoughts about Gulliver's Travels, the book as a whole?

Because I have children, I think this book has survived the times because it can be read by different levels of people. Children see this as an adventure book and the older adult sees this as comparison to the societies and England. I still think that having such a strong message in this book makes it a classic.

This was the most enjoyable book so far. The humor in it kept the tempo going. There were subtle messages for everyone and their were deeper messages for the curious.

2 thumbs up!

I think that Swift utilizes all of all the cultures that Gulliver meets to shed light on the different aspects of humanity, our strengths, weaknessess, pride, emotions, fears, assumption, and aspects of daily life.

I think that the contrasts between the way Gulliver views the small people of Lilliput and himself as a 'giant', is compared to how he views himself small and the giants of Brodinbong. The way he views himself as down to earth and simple, in comparison to the complex people of Laputa, and how he is complex compared to the Houyhnhmn's simplicity. He forces the reader to feel one thing then the opposite, only to be eventually faced with our conflicts about how we feel about our culture, views, and the way we judge those who aren't that different from ourselves.

I enjoyed this book, not only for the lessons and adventures, but also for the ways that it made me think about humanity, not only in the times the book was written, but also as current times struggles with many of the same issues.

I agree with you Kelley. This book could be read at any time and still the same problems and dilemnas would come up.

Two thumbs up.

Onward ho........


Yahoo - now we know where it comes from. LOL

i'm not finished yet, but I have enjoyed this book. I read it years ago as an adventure story & was too young to 'get' the political and human side to the book. It has made me think about one place in society, ones counries palce in the world, how we veiw ourselves and how others view us. i have enjoyed reading all of the notes from you guys and feel that it helps confirm my own interpretation of this and the other books as well as make me think again when one of you makes an interesting point.