Enlightened Laputans

Despite the utter confusion and disaster of the people of Balnibarbi, several characters can be noted to have somewhat sensible orientations of thought, manner, and process, who thus may be considered compared to the general population as "enlightened."

The first "enlightened" individual Gulliver encounters is one of the lords of the Laputan court. While he shows no aptitude or skill in the traits that Laputans value, he shows considerable attention and wisdom in his mannerisms. He does not require servants to direct his center of attention and intelligibly remarks on Gulliver's explanations of European politics and affairs, of which he shows marked interest in.

The second, and most notable individual, which may be referred to as an "enlightened" figure is Lord Munodi. Of Lagado, he and a few other conservative citizens are the only sane people of the city. His well-cultivated plantation compared to the miserable crop of the countryside, the formal and sturdy construction of the manor compared to the wretched, drooping shacks of careless building, and his cleanly clothed self compared to the ragged strips of the common citizen express a high level of sanity.

In accordance with Plato's Allegory of the Cave in his The Republic, Lord Munodi and others who have also reverted to older customs of living are the "enlightened" individuals, alike the Laputan lord equally scorned upon by the general population (the remaining inhabitants of the cave). While it is strange to think that conservatism be enlightened in comparison to reform, it is the misconception of reform equates to progress that the majority of Balnibarbians hold that led the population to living in a state of utter squalor and dereliction.