Summary
Gulliver gets uncomfortably close to the Yahoos and realizes they see him as one of their own - especially when a young female Yahoo becomes attracted to him. This mortifying experience forces him to confront the possibility that he really is more like these crude beasts than the noble Houyhnhnms he admires. Meanwhile, Swift uses this chapter to showcase the Houyhnhnms' rational society in detail. These horse-people make all decisions based purely on reason, never emotion. They don't understand concepts like 'opinion' or 'debate' because truth is simply truth to them. Their marriages are arranged for genetic optimization, not love. They raise children communally based on logic, not favoritism. They hold democratic assemblies to distribute resources fairly across districts. It's a society that has eliminated passion, conflict, and inequality - but also romance, individual preference, and emotional bonds. Swift is holding up a mirror to 18th-century European society, asking whether pure rationality is actually better than messy human nature. The chapter works as both comedy (Gulliver's embarrassing encounter) and serious social criticism. Are we more like the reasonable Houyhnhnms or the passionate, flawed Yahoos? Swift suggests the answer might be more uncomfortable than we'd like to admit. The detailed description of Houyhnhnm society reveals both its appealing order and its cold emptiness.
Coming Up in Chapter 36
Gulliver's time in this rational paradise is coming to an end, but his departure won't be voluntary. The Houyhnhnms are about to make a decision about his future that will shatter his newfound sense of belonging.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The author relates several particulars of the _Yahoos_. The great virtues of the _Houyhnhnms_. The education and exercise of their youth. Their general assembly. As I ought to have understood human nature much better than I supposed it possible for my master to do, so it was easy to apply the character he gave of the _Yahoos_ to myself and my countrymen; and I believed I could yet make further discoveries, from my own observation. I therefore often begged his honour to let me go among the herds of _Yahoos_ in the neighbourhood; to which he always very graciously consented, being perfectly convinced that the hatred I bore these brutes would never suffer me to be corrupted by them; and his honour ordered one of his servants, a strong sorrel nag, very honest and good-natured, to be my guard; without whose protection I durst not undertake such adventures. For I have already told the reader how much I was pestered by these odious animals, upon my first arrival; and I afterwards failed very narrowly, three or four times, of falling into their clutches, when I happened to stray at any distance without my hanger. And I have reason to believe they had some imagination that I was of their own species, which I often assisted myself by stripping up my sleeves, and showing my naked arms and breast in their sight, when my protector was with me. At which times they would approach as near as they durst, and imitate my actions after the manner of monkeys, but ever with great signs of hatred; as a tame jackdaw with cap and stockings is always persecuted by the wild ones, when he happens to be got among them. They are prodigiously nimble from their infancy. However, I once caught a young male of three years old, and endeavoured, by all marks of tenderness, to make it quiet; but the little imp fell a squalling and scratching and biting with such violence, that I was forced to let it go; and it was high time, for a whole troop of old ones came about us at the noise, but finding the cub was safe (for away it ran), and my sorrel nag being by, they durst not venture near us. I observed the young animal’s flesh to smell very rank, and the stink was somewhat between a weasel and a fox, but much more disagreeable. I forgot another circumstance (and perhaps I might have the reader’s pardon if it were wholly omitted), that while I held the odious vermin in my hands, it voided its filthy excrements of a yellow liquid substance all over my clothes; but by good fortune there was a small brook hard by, where I washed myself as clean as I could; although I durst not come into my master’s presence until I were sufficiently aired. By what I could discover, the _Yahoos_ appear to be the most unteachable of all animals, their capacity never reaching higher than...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Uncomfortable Recognition
The uncomfortable moment when we're forced to see ourselves as we truly are, not as we'd like to be, triggering an identity crisis between our idealized and actual selves.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot when you're being forced to choose between two extremes that aren't your only options.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you catch yourself thinking 'I'm either completely good or completely bad at this'—then look for the middle ground where most real growth happens.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Yahoos
Swift's name for savage human-like creatures that represent humanity at its worst - crude, violent, and driven by base instincts. They're what Gulliver fears he might actually be, despite his civilized pretensions.
Modern Usage:
We still use 'yahoo' to describe someone acting wild or uncivilized, like rowdy sports fans or internet trolls.
Houyhnhnms
The rational horse-people who run their society purely on logic and reason, without emotion or passion. Swift uses them to question whether pure rationality is actually better than messy human nature.
Modern Usage:
Think of tech bros who believe everything can be optimized through data, or anyone who thinks emotions are just obstacles to efficiency.
Satire
A literary technique that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human behavior and society. Swift isn't just telling a story - he's holding up a funhouse mirror to show us our flaws.
Modern Usage:
Shows like 'The Daily Show' or 'Saturday Night Live' use satire to point out political and social problems through comedy.
Noble Savage
The idea that 'primitive' peoples are morally superior to 'civilized' ones. Swift flips this by making his 'noble' creatures horses, while humans are the savage beasts.
Modern Usage:
We see this when people romanticize simpler times or other cultures as being more authentic than our complicated modern world.
Reason vs. Passion
The 18th-century debate about whether humans should be guided by logical thinking or emotional feelings. The Houyhnhnms represent pure reason, while Yahoos represent pure passion.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in every argument about whether to follow your head or your heart - in relationships, career choices, or political decisions.
Social Commentary
Using fiction to criticize real society. Swift isn't really writing about horses and wild humans - he's commenting on European civilization and human nature in general.
Modern Usage:
Movies like 'Get Out' or 'Parasite' use fictional stories to make points about real social problems like racism and inequality.
Characters in This Chapter
Gulliver
Increasingly uncomfortable narrator
Faces the horrifying possibility that he's more like the savage Yahoos than the rational Houyhnhnms. His embarrassing encounter with a female Yahoo forces him to confront his own animal nature.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who thinks they're better than everyone else until reality gives them a harsh wake-up call
The Female Yahoo
Unwanted admirer
Her attraction to Gulliver proves that despite his clothes and manners, he's fundamentally the same species as these crude creatures. This mortifies him and shatters his self-image.
Modern Equivalent:
The person whose interest in you reveals something about yourself that you don't want to face
Gulliver's Houyhnhnm Master
Rational guide
Represents pure reason and logic. He allows Gulliver to study the Yahoos, confident that Gulliver's 'hatred' of them will protect him from corruption.
Modern Equivalent:
The mentor who's so logical they can't understand why emotions matter to other people
The Sorrel Nag
Protective guard
Assigned to protect Gulliver during his Yahoo observations. Represents the Houyhnhnm society's practical, emotionless approach to problem-solving.
Modern Equivalent:
The reliable coworker who keeps you out of trouble but doesn't really get why you make bad decisions
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I believed I could yet make further discoveries, from my own observation"
Context: When Gulliver asks to study the Yahoos more closely
Shows Gulliver's dangerous overconfidence in his ability to remain detached and superior. He thinks he can study 'those creatures' without recognizing himself in them.
In Today's Words:
I thought I could learn more about these people by getting closer to them
"I have reason to believe they had some imagination that I was of their own species"
Context: When the Yahoos start treating him as one of their own
The moment Gulliver's worst fear becomes reality - that beneath his civilized exterior, he's just another Yahoo. The word 'imagination' shows he's still in denial.
In Today's Words:
I think they figured out I was basically the same as them
"At which times they would approach as near as they durst"
Context: Describing how Yahoos react when he shows his bare skin
The physical proof that strips away all of Gulliver's pretensions. When he removes the clothes that mark him as 'civilized,' the Yahoos recognize him immediately.
In Today's Words:
That's when they'd come as close as they dared
Thematic Threads
Identity Crisis
In This Chapter
Gulliver realizes he's more like the Yahoos than the Houyhnhnms, shattering his self-perception
Development
Evolved from earlier travels where he felt superior to others
In Your Life:
You might face this when you catch yourself behaving exactly like someone you've criticized.
Social Ideals
In This Chapter
The Houyhnhnms' rational society seems perfect but lacks human warmth and individual choice
Development
Builds on earlier societies that were flawed in obvious ways
In Your Life:
You see this when workplace 'efficiency' policies eliminate human flexibility and compassion.
Human Nature
In This Chapter
Swift questions whether passion and emotion are flaws or essential human features
Development
Culmination of examining different aspects of humanity throughout travels
In Your Life:
You experience this tension when trying to be 'professional' while suppressing natural emotional responses.
Uncomfortable Truth
In This Chapter
Both Gulliver's Yahoo-like nature and the Houyhnhnms' cold perfection reveal uncomfortable realities
Development
Intensified from earlier satirical observations
In Your Life:
You face this when feedback at work or home forces you to confront behaviors you'd rather ignore.
Rational vs Emotional
In This Chapter
The Houyhnhnms' pure logic versus the Yahoos' pure passion, with humans caught between
Development
New theme introduced through this society's extreme rationality
In Your Life:
You navigate this daily when deciding between what makes logical sense and what feels right emotionally.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What happens when the female Yahoo becomes attracted to Gulliver, and how does this affect his view of himself?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Gulliver find the Houyhnhnms' purely rational society both appealing and disturbing?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today struggling between wanting to be 'rational' like the Houyhnhnms versus accepting their more emotional, messy human nature?
application • medium - 4
When you've had a moment of uncomfortable self-recognition (seeing yourself in someone you judge), how did you handle it and what did you learn?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about whether we should try to eliminate passion and emotion from decision-making, and do you agree?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Ideal vs. Real Society
Create two columns: 'Ideal Society' and 'Real Society.' In the first column, list 5-7 features of your perfect community (like the Houyhnhnms' rational world). In the second column, honestly assess what those features would actually cost in terms of human connection, creativity, or individual freedom. Then identify which trade-offs you're willing to make and which you're not.
Consider:
- •Consider both the benefits and hidden costs of eliminating conflict or emotion
- •Think about times when 'irrational' human behavior actually served you well
- •Ask yourself which aspects of messy humanity you'd genuinely want to keep
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you caught yourself being more like someone you judge than someone you admire. What did that moment teach you about your own nature, and how did it change your perspective?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 36: The Great Debate About Humanity
As the story unfolds, you'll explore societies justify dehumanizing those they see as 'other', while uncovering the danger of being used as evidence in debates about your own worth. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.