There are two words ‘misanthropy’ and ‘philanthropy’. Misanthropy
means philosophically hatred from mankind and philanthropy means the desire to
promote the welfare of others. There is controversy over the issue of Swift’s
being a misanthrope or a philanthropist. There are many critics who argue that
Swift is a misanthrope. One of them is Sir Walter Scott says that the book is,
“sever, unjust, and degrading and a state of gloomy misanthrope”.
In the light of such renowned critic, the readers start
believing that Swift is a misanthrope as in part IV of the book he places human
beings lower than animals. He idealizes these animals and degrades humanity.
The first three parts may be digested and justified in some way but the fourth
one gives clear imprints of Swift’s hatred for mankind.
Anyhow on the other side, there are the arguments in favour
of swift for his being a great Philanthropist, a reformer, a satirist and a
well-wisher of humanity.
Firstly, the land of Yahoos and of Houyhnhnms is not ‘Utopia’
of Swift on the pattern of Plato’s “Ideal Republic” but mock-utopia. Swift is
not actually idealizing Horses but he is warning humans about their dark and
savage future. And he wants to show that man can never rise to that state of
perfection as Houyhnhnms, because it is the human nature to be deceitful and
sinful.
Secondly, it is quite sure that “Gulliver’s Travels” is a
satire on the part of writer. It is bitter satire on Swift’s own period. A satire may be used to tease or pinch
somebody but as literary device, it is used to reform man’s absurdities. He
uses it for reformation not degradation as he himself says, “I write for the
noblest end, to inform and instruct mankind”.
Thirdly, the overwhelming portion of the book is purely
satirical and philanthropic only in the fourth part there are some imprints of
misanthropy, so we should have concern with the overwhelming portion rather
than the minor one. Swift must not be taken in negative sense in this regard
Fourthly, Gulliver is a dramatic hero drawn by Swift. A
writer can’t be put at the place of character all the time. Shakespeare can’t
be identified by his heroes. Because heroes are free to act, to perform, to
rise and to fall. So, it is not fair to put the misanthropy of Gulliver in the
hands of Swift.
Fifthly, if someone says Swift writes with exaggeration, no
satire is complete without exaggeration. His purpose is reformation. He has no
personal malice or revenge against anybody but if he gets harsh, there is
public spirit behind him.
William Hazlitt’s remarks can be taken as conclusion, “I
cannot see the harm, the misanthropy and degrading tendency of this, the moral
lesson is as fine as the intellectual exhibition is amusing”. More, he writes
to Alexander Pope that the chief end of all his labour is ‘to vex the world
rather than divert it’.
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