Meet Lemuel Gulliver

Today In History with The Retrospectors

Jonathan Swift’s enduring satire Gulliver’s Travels was first published on October 28, 1726 - though the true identity of the book’s author was concealed from readers.

A spoof of Daniel Defoe’s popular Robinson Crusoe, the novel bleakly satirised British society, colonialism, and the monarchy, shocking as many readers as it entertained.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal the tale’s rebellious origins in Swift’s social oeuvre; consider why children still relate to (abridged versions of) this highly specific political satire; and explain why Swift’s creation lead directly to Yahoo! Mail…

Further Reading:

• ‘Why Jonathan Swift wanted to ‘vex the world’ with Gulliver’s Travels’ (The Conversation): https://theconversation.com/why-jonathan-swift-wanted-to-vex-the-world-with-gullivers-travels-94972

• 'Letter to Jonathan Swift' (John Gay, 1726): https://walleahpress.com.au/communion8-John-Gay.html

• ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ (Paramount, 1939): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rehNT9wIjUg

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