Summary
Gulliver begins his desperate journey home, preferring solitude to human society after his time with the noble Houyhnhnms. He reaches New Holland (Australia) but is wounded by natives and reluctantly rescued by a Portuguese ship. Captain Pedro de Mendez treats him with extraordinary kindness, but Gulliver can barely tolerate human contact, seeing all people as 'Yahoos' - the savage creatures from his previous adventure. The captain's patience gradually helps Gulliver readjust enough to return to England, though he remains deeply conflicted. When Gulliver finally reaches home after years away, his family's joy at his return contrasts sharply with his revulsion at their touch and presence. He cannot bear physical contact with his wife and children, preferring the company of horses in his stable. This chapter reveals the dark side of enlightenment - how exposure to an idealized society can make someone unable to function in the real world. Gulliver's transformation shows how pursuing perfection can lead to complete alienation from the people who love you. His story becomes a warning about the dangers of rejecting human imperfection in favor of impossible standards. The irony is profound: in seeking to become better than human, Gulliver has become less human, trapped in a prison of his own moral superiority.
Coming Up in Chapter 39
The final chapter awaits, where Gulliver reflects on all his extraordinary journeys and offers his ultimate thoughts on human nature, society, and the lessons learned from his travels to impossible worlds.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The author’s dangerous voyage. He arrives at New Holland, hoping to settle there. Is wounded with an arrow by one of the natives. Is seized and carried by force into a Portuguese ship. The great civilities of the captain. The author arrives at England. I began this desperate voyage on February 15, 1714–15, at nine o’clock in the morning. The wind was very favourable; however, I made use at first only of my paddles; but considering I should soon be weary, and that the wind might chop about, I ventured to set up my little sail; and thus, with the help of the tide, I went at the rate of a league and a half an hour, as near as I could guess. My master and his friends continued on the shore till I was almost out of sight; and I often heard the sorrel nag (who always loved me) crying out, “_Hnuy illa nyha_, _majah Yahoo_;” “Take care of thyself, gentle _Yahoo_.” My design was, if possible, to discover some small island uninhabited, yet sufficient, by my labour, to furnish me with the necessaries of life, which I would have thought a greater happiness, than to be first minister in the politest court of Europe; so horrible was the idea I conceived of returning to live in the society, and under the government of _Yahoos_. For in such a solitude as I desired, I could at least enjoy my own thoughts, and reflect with delight on the virtues of those inimitable _Houyhnhnms_, without an opportunity of degenerating into the vices and corruptions of my own species. The reader may remember what I related, when my crew conspired against me, and confined me to my cabin; how I continued there several weeks without knowing what course we took; and when I was put ashore in the long-boat, how the sailors told me, with oaths, whether true or false, “that they knew not in what part of the world we were.” However, I did then believe us to be about 10 degrees southward of the Cape of Good Hope, or about 45 degrees southern latitude, as I gathered from some general words I overheard among them, being I supposed to the south-east in their intended voyage to Madagascar. And although this were little better than conjecture, yet I resolved to steer my course eastward, hoping to reach the south-west coast of New Holland, and perhaps some such island as I desired lying westward of it. The wind was full west, and by six in the evening I computed I had gone eastward at least eighteen leagues; when I spied a very small island about half a league off, which I soon reached. It was nothing but a rock, with one creek naturally arched by the force of tempests. Here I put in my canoe, and climbing a part of the rock, I could plainly discover land to the east, extending from south to north. I lay all night in my canoe;...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Impossible Standards
When exposure to an ideal creates standards so high that real life becomes unbearable and relationships become impossible.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when pursuit of ideals becomes a barrier to human connection and practical progress.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you use phrases like 'they just don't get it' or feel physically uncomfortable around people who don't share your standards - that's the perfectionism trap activating.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
New Holland
The European name for Australia in the 18th century, when it was largely unexplored by Europeans. Swift uses this remote location to show Gulliver's desperate attempt to escape human society entirely.
Modern Usage:
Like someone moving to Alaska or a remote cabin to get away from people and modern life.
Yahoo
Swift's term for savage, brutish humans that Gulliver encountered in his previous journey. After living with noble horse-like creatures, Gulliver now sees all humans as these disgusting beasts.
Modern Usage:
When someone becomes so disillusioned they start calling everyone around them 'animals' or 'savages.'
Houyhnhnms
The intelligent, rational horses Gulliver lived with who represented perfect reason and virtue. Their influence has made him unable to tolerate human flaws and imperfections.
Modern Usage:
Like someone who joins a cult or extreme group and then can't relate to normal people anymore.
Misanthropy
Hatred or distrust of humanity as a whole. Gulliver's experiences have turned him into a misanthrope who prefers horses to people, even his own family.
Modern Usage:
People who become so cynical about humanity that they isolate themselves and reject all human connection.
Alienation
The feeling of being completely disconnected from society and other people. Gulliver can no longer function normally in human relationships after his transformative experiences.
Modern Usage:
When someone feels so different from everyone else that they can't connect, like veterans returning from war or people leaving strict religious communities.
Moral superiority
The belief that you are ethically better than others. Gulliver's exposure to 'perfect' beings has made him feel morally superior to all humans, including his loved ones.
Modern Usage:
People who become self-righteous after finding religion, going to therapy, or adopting a cause, then look down on everyone else.
Characters in This Chapter
Gulliver
Protagonist
Returns home completely transformed and unable to bear human contact. He cannot touch his family and prefers horses to people, showing how his quest for perfection has destroyed his humanity.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who comes back from rehab or spiritual retreat and can't stand their old friends and family
Captain Pedro de Mendez
Compassionate rescuer
The Portuguese sea captain who rescues Gulliver and treats him with extraordinary patience and kindness, despite Gulliver's revulsion toward him and all humans.
Modern Equivalent:
The therapist or social worker who shows endless patience with difficult clients
Gulliver's wife
Rejected spouse
Represents normal human love and connection that Gulliver can no longer accept. Her joy at his return contrasts painfully with his inability to bear her touch.
Modern Equivalent:
The spouse whose partner comes back from deployment or treatment completely changed and emotionally unavailable
The sorrel nag
Beloved horse companion
The horse from Houyhnhnm land who cries out a farewell to Gulliver, showing more emotional connection than Gulliver can feel for humans.
Modern Equivalent:
The pet or animal that someone connects with better than people
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Take care of thyself, gentle Yahoo"
Context: The horse's farewell as Gulliver leaves Houyhnhnm land
Shows the tragic irony that a horse shows more genuine care for Gulliver than he can now show for humans. The word 'gentle' reveals the horse's affection despite calling him a Yahoo.
In Today's Words:
Be safe out there, you poor human
"I would have thought a greater happiness, than to be first minister in the politest court of Europe"
Context: Gulliver explaining why he'd rather live alone on a desert island
Reveals how completely he's rejected human society and ambition. He'd rather be alone than have the highest position among people he now sees as disgusting.
In Today's Words:
I'd rather live alone in the middle of nowhere than have the best job in the world
"so horrible was the idea I conceived of returning to live in the society, and under the government of Yahoos"
Context: Explaining his desperate desire to avoid returning to human civilization
Shows how his enlightenment has become a curse. What should be homecoming is now horror because he sees all humans as savage beasts unworthy of his presence.
In Today's Words:
The thought of going back to live with regular people made me sick
Thematic Threads
Alienation
In This Chapter
Gulliver cannot bear physical contact with his own family after living among the 'perfect' Houyhnhnms
Development
Culmination of growing disconnection from humanity throughout his travels
In Your Life:
You might feel this when comparing your life to social media perfection or after experiencing an idealized situation.
Standards
In This Chapter
Gulliver's time with rational horses has created impossible expectations for human behavior
Development
Each journey has raised his standards until reality becomes intolerable
In Your Life:
You might set standards so high that no real person or situation can meet them.
Identity
In This Chapter
Gulliver no longer identifies as human, preferring horses to his own species
Development
Complete transformation from curious traveler to alienated misanthrope
In Your Life:
You might lose touch with who you really are when chasing an idealized version of yourself.
Connection
In This Chapter
His pursuit of perfection has destroyed his ability to connect with those who love him
Development
Shows the ultimate cost of his travels and transformations
In Your Life:
You might sacrifice real relationships while pursuing perfect ones that don't exist.
Perspective
In This Chapter
Gulliver sees all humans as 'Yahoos' - savage beasts unworthy of respect
Development
His perspective has become so distorted he can't see his family's humanity
In Your Life:
You might develop such a narrow view that you can't appreciate the good in everyday people and situations.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why can't Gulliver stand to be around his own family when he returns home?
analysis • surface - 2
How did Gulliver's time with the 'perfect' Houyhnhnms change his ability to see good in regular people?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you seen someone become impossible to please after experiencing something they thought was perfect?
application • medium - 4
How can you learn from better examples without becoming unable to appreciate what you already have?
application • deep - 5
What does Gulliver's story teach us about the danger of pursuing impossible standards?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Standards Trap
Think of an area where you've raised your standards recently - work, relationships, health, parenting. Write down what your 'ideal' looks like, then list three ways this ideal might be making you less appreciative of your current reality. Finally, identify one way you can keep the good parts of your new standards while staying connected to the people in your life.
Consider:
- •Are your new standards helping you grow or making you critical?
- •What are you gaining versus what relationships might you be losing?
- •How can you use ideals as inspiration rather than weapons?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when pursuing something 'better' made you unable to appreciate something good you already had. What would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 39: Gulliver's Final Reflections and Farewell
Moving forward, we'll examine to maintain integrity when sharing difficult truths with others, and understand questioning authority and colonial justifications. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.