How does an understanding of the historical context help us understand Swift’s position on empire and imperialism?

Paper details

Gulliver’s Travels was published in 1726, a point in history when European nations were expanding their power across the globe. This imperialism took different forms in different geographies and different nations (e.g., Cortez and the conquistadores in Central and South America; the mercantile empires of the Dutch and English East India Companies in the Pacific; the colonial settlements in North America; the plantations in the Caribbean). During his voyages, it is clear that Gulliver’s own relationship to imperialism is complicated. At times he seems to denounce the conquest of foreign peoples and territories. On the other hand, there are moments in the voyages when Gulliver himself acts or thinks in ways that could definitely be considered imperial.

ASSIGNMENT: How does an understanding of the historical context help us understand Swift’s position on empire and imperialism? Identify a passage from Gulliver’s Travels which speaks to the phenomenon of imperialism.

Then, in a short essay, situate that passage within its historical context to explain how it is not the idea of imperialism being challenged in Gulliver’s Travels but rather its style and mode. GUIDELINES: Your essay should range between 700 and 800 words (excluding notes and works cited). It must be typewritten and formatted according to MLA Style. Note on MLA Style: The MLA style provides instructions not simply about font, spacing, margins and how to format your front page. It also explains the process by which you integrate quotations from primary and secondary sources into your sentences, as well as the way in which you provide bibliographical reference to those sources in your Works Cited. The MLA Style is described in the MLA Handbook (8th Edition).

TIPS To situate a literary text within a historical or cultural context means engaging the world out of which the literary text emerges. For example, consider the satire in Voyage III on the island of Laputa. A situated analysis would do more than speak about a topic or issue in general terms: “Swift satirizes people who think abstract theories are the best way to advance knowledge and increase human happiness.” Instead, it would make efforts to identify specificity Swift contributes to contemporary debates about the utility of science by satirizing the practical futility of experiments being conducted by members of the Royal Academy. His presentation, for example, of the Laputan scientists’ efforts to extract sunlight from cucumbers is ridiculous at any time, but it is especially so at a time of at a time of intense food shortage in the United Kingdom.

The assignment, in other words, asks you to learn something outside or beyond the text, and then bring that knowledge to bear on your interpretation of the text. Please cite ALL sources used for the cultural context and history and use MLA format. Use credible sources please and not Wikipedia. Use 3 sources. Do not use ANY more without citing. Between 600-700 words no more than that.