Gulliver's Travels, written by Jonathan Swift, was written in 1726. It is a satirical story and it mocks the genre of travel stories or journals that were being published at the time as well. The use of satire is used to address the European government, specifically the distinct split of political views of the Tories and Whigs. Since Swift was also part of the clergy, he uses satire to show how minor differences in religious beliefs can cause hatred and segregation amongst different religious allegiances. Because of the satirical nature of Swift's writing, he is able to address many sensitive issues that could cause a problem in the monarchy under King George I. (This is not to say it did not create some backlash, but because of the humorous writing it was not censored.).
Lemuel Gulliver is the narrator of the story, and is the only character to have any true transformation. His name may be a hint, from Swift, that Gulliver is gullible or easily trusts people with what they say, the things they do and the idea that mankind is has, for the most part, good morals. He was born in a middle-class family and studied to become a surgeon. He is married and has children. At the beginning, we see that Gulliver enjoys the company of people, and by the end of the story he cannot stand people, even his family. Through out his adventures he realizes how petty, evil, self-righteous the human race can be, his transformation. This is also a look into the psyche of Swift. Many people believe that Jonathan Swift was a misanthrope, one who hates the human race, because of his conclusion of Gulliver's Travels and his own personal life outside of this story. .
One of the ways Swift satirizes the political parties of England is in Gulliver's first adventure. Gulliver is shipwrecked on the land of the Lilliputians. In Lilliput, Gulliver notices their two party system, Tramecksans and Slamecksans. Tramecksans wear high-heeled shoes and support everything about the government.
