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Allegory
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Preface 2: “A Letter from Captain Gulliver to his Cousin Sympson”
Explanation and Analysis—The Travellers' Tale:
During the 18th century, British audiences were eager to hear about cultures and people in the lands where explorers were claiming colonies for England. As such, diaries and first-person accounts by explorers such as Captain James Cook and William Dampier were immensely popular. Though advertised as truthful, many of these accounts contained embellishments and falsehoods. Gulliver's Travels is a parody of this "traveller's tales" literary sub-genre, and it satirizes the dishonesty of these accounts as well as the gullibility of English readers. What's more, the novel contains numerous allusions to contemporary works in this genre.
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Book 1, Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Westminster Hall:
In Book 1, Chapter 1 of Gulliver's Travels, Gulliver is captured by the Lilliputians and taken to the capital city, where he is lodged in a disused temple that functions as an allusion to Westminster Hall:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[T]here stood an ancient Temple, esteemed to be the largest in the whole Kingdom, which having been polluted some Years before by an unnatural Murder, was, according to the Zeal of those People, looked upon as Profane.
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Book 1, Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—Classical Allusions:
Gulliver's Travels contains numerous allusions to ancient Greek and Roman writings, locations, events, and mythology.
In Book 1, Chapter 3, the Lilliputian emperor orders his army to march through Gulliver's legs as a form of entertainment, and this passage contains a reference to an Ancient Greek landmark:
Unlock with LitCharts A+He desired I would stand like a Colossus, with my Legs as far asunder as I conveniently could.
Related Themes:
Book 1, Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Classical Allusions:
Gulliver's Travels contains numerous allusions to ancient Greek and Roman writings, locations, events, and mythology.
In Book 1, Chapter 3, the Lilliputian emperor orders his army to march through Gulliver's legs as a form of entertainment, and this passage contains a reference to an Ancient Greek landmark:
Unlock with LitCharts A+He desired I would stand like a Colossus, with my Legs as far asunder as I conveniently could.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Biblical Allusions:
In addition to his work as an author and satirist, Jonathan Swift was also an Anglican cleric who served as Dean of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. He was the author of numerous sermons, prayers, and works of religious scholarship, and his extensive knowledge of religious doctrine informed much of his satirical writing. Swift's preoccupation with religion is also present in Gulliver's Travels, which contains numerous biblical allusions (some of which are rather ironic).
In Book 1, Chapter 7, Gulliver learns of a plot by the Lilliputians to blind him. The Lilliputians declare:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"That the loss of your Eyes would be no impediment to your bodily strength, by which you might still be useful to his Majesty."
Related Themes:
Book 2, Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Biblical Allusions:
In addition to his work as an author and satirist, Jonathan Swift was also an Anglican cleric who served as Dean of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. He was the author of numerous sermons, prayers, and works of religious scholarship, and his extensive knowledge of religious doctrine informed much of his satirical writing. Swift's preoccupation with religion is also present in Gulliver's Travels, which contains numerous biblical allusions (some of which are rather ironic).
In Book 1, Chapter 7, Gulliver learns of a plot by the Lilliputians to blind him. The Lilliputians declare:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"That the loss of your Eyes would be no impediment to your bodily strength, by which you might still be useful to his Majesty."
Related Themes:
Book 2, Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—Phaeton:
Book 2, Chapter 8 of Gulliver's Travels contains a classical allusion that also functions as a moment of foreshadowing. In this chapter, Gulliver departs Brobdingnag unexpectedly when a bird carries his box away by the ring on its roof and subsequently drops it into the ocean. The ship captain who rescues him finds similarities between Gulliver's plight and that of a figure from Greek mythology:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[T]he Comparison of Phaeton was so obvious, that he could not forbear applying it, although I did not much admire the Conceit.
Book 3, Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Science and Philosophy:
Gulliver's Travels contains several allusions to 18th-century concepts in science and philosophy. Jonathan Swift uses these allusions to satirize European scientists and philosophers, whom he depicts as out of touch with the real world.
Unlock with LitCharts A+
Related Themes:
Book 4, Chapter 4
Explanation and Analysis—Classical Allusions:
Gulliver's Travels contains numerous allusions to ancient Greek and Roman writings, locations, events, and mythology.
In Book 1, Chapter 3, the Lilliputian emperor orders his army to march through Gulliver's legs as a form of entertainment, and this passage contains a reference to an Ancient Greek landmark:
Unlock with LitCharts A+He desired I would stand like a Colossus, with my Legs as far asunder as I conveniently could.
Related Themes:
Book 4, Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—Theological Conflict:
Throughout Gulliver's Travels, Swift alludes to and satirizes several debates in Christian theology. In Book 4, Chapter 5, for example, Gulliver attempts to explain to the Master Horse the various religious conflicts that have led to war in Europe:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"[W]hether Flesh be Bread, or Bread be Flesh; whether the Juice of a certain Berry be Blood or Wine; whether Whistling be a Vice or a Virtue; whether it be better to kiss a Post, or to throw it into the Fire; what is the best Colour for a Coat, whether is be Black, White, Red or Grey; and whether it should be long or short, narrow or wide, dirty or clean, with many more. [...]"
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