The decision made by the Houyhnhnms to expel or banish Gulliver from their lands triggers an emotional and heart wrenching departure for him. During his brief journey from their island, Gulliver comes into contact with a Portuguese sailing vessel and its Captain, Pedro de Mendez. From this encounter with Captain Mendez, the behavior of Gulliver as a result of his long stay with the Houyhnhnms shows that he is full of hatred and disgust for his own race, that he has lost the ability to see human kindness and goodness, and finally that he is overcome with both pride and arrogance.
During Gulliver's stay on the ship, he is obsessed with segregating himself from the crew and Captain Mendez. The men are nothing but vile Yahoos in his eyes devoid of reason and understanding and unable to reach the limits of perfection personified by the Houyhnhnms. Gulliver could not relate to or recognize the kindness and the decency of the Captain. That was very evident in his conversation with the Captain as he said, " he entreated me to give some account for myself, and desired to know what I would eat or drink; said, I should be used as well as himself, and spoke so many obliging things, that I wondered to find such civilities from a Yahoo. that at last I descended to treat him like an animal- (274). From this quote, Gulliver not only shows his sinful pride and arrogance but also that he is truly blinded to human compassion and consideration.
The years with the Houyhnhnms had severely changed Gulliver and instilled within him utter contempt for everyone and everything that was not Houyhnhnm. Material possessions and lifestyle extravagances were also thought to be worthless and unredeemable. Captain Mendez continually showed his patience and kindness by offering Gulliver nice clothing, food, and a comfortable cabin. All of these things were either rejected or taken with antipathy and loathing.