* The use of satire. Satire is a genre of literature that uses humor to criticize human folly. Swift uses satire to criticize the political, social, and religious institutions of his day.
* The use of allegory. Allegory is a literary device in which characters and events represent abstract ideas. Swift uses allegory to represent the flaws in human nature.
* The use of irony. Irony is a literary device in which the opposite of what is expected happens. Swift uses irony to create a sense of humor and to emphasize the absurdity of the situations in which Gulliver finds himself.
* The use of classical mythology. Swift uses classical mythology to create a sense of timelessness and to add depth to his characters.
Romantic Elements in Gulliver's Travels
* The emphasis on individualism. The Romantic era emphasized the importance of the individual. Swift's novel celebrates the individual's ability to overcome adversity and to achieve great things.
* The appreciation of nature. The Romantic era also emphasized the appreciation of nature. Swift's novel is full of beautiful descriptions of the natural world.
* The emphasis on emotion. The Romantic era emphasized the importance of emotion. Swift's novel is filled with emotional scenes, such as Gulliver's despair when he is stranded on the island of Lilliput.
Gulliver's Travels is a complex and multi-faceted novel that draws on both classical and romantic elements. Swift's use of satire, allegory, irony, and classical mythology creates a trenchant criticism of human nature. His emphasis on individualism, the appreciation of nature, and the emphasis on emotion make the novel a timeless classic.