Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Understanding the Character: Gulliver
Gulliver seems to actually be a benevolent and sympathetic individual. Upon reaching the country of Lilliput and noticing the very small inhabitants, he does not try to control them or destroy them (although he did think about the possibility). Instead, Gulliver does his utmost to hear to the pleas of the nation of Lilliput and address all of its struggles and needs. Gulliver also appears to have a fairly pious moral belief system; he tries to understand and accept the culture of the Lilliputians, despite how foreign it can be and he treats every individual with the respect and safety that they deserve. Overall, Gulliver's educated background certainly helps with amplifying his good personality.
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Though I do in fact agree with what Nader has to say about Gulliver's treatment of the Lilliputians, I do not agree entirely. He does treat every individual well, but at the end of his Voyage he takes a pocket full of cattle which he stores in his pocket. This is not only stealing from the Lilliputians but it is also almost cruelty, not treating the animals too with the utmost of respects.
ReplyDeleteOnce the Emperor granted Gulliver his freedom from captivity, only a few rules were implemented for Gulliver to follow, like staying off the main roads and watching out for people. Gulliver was never presented a doctrine that dictated his actions other than those presented to him already. The Lilliputians promised to feed Gulliver when ever he was hungry. With this consent, I find that Gulliver had the right to take the cattle for later consumption without needing to ask.
ReplyDeleteBut paying close attention to the wording, "whenever he was hungry" doesn't seem to apply. He would be fed when hungry. He is not responsible for feeding himself. It does seem to be an extremely slippery slope.
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