Swift uses satire to expose the folly, hypocrisy, and absurdity of humanity, both in its individual and collective behaviors. He attacks:
* Pride and self-importance: The Houyhnhnms, the rational horses, are disgusted by the Yahoos, who represent humanity, due to their base instincts and irrational behaviors.
* Political and social corruption: Swift skewers political systems through satirical portrayals like the Lilliputians' petty squabbles over high heels and low heels.
* Intellectual arrogance and ignorance: The Laputans, with their focus on abstract knowledge and their inability to see practical problems, represent the dangers of excessive intellectualism without grounding in reality.
* Religious fanaticism and intolerance: The religious practices of the Laputans, the Struldbrugs' obsession with immortality, and the Brobdingnagians' bemusement at the human obsession with war are all examples of Swift's critique of religious extremism.
Ultimately, Swift's aim is to force readers to confront their own flaws and the flaws of society. He uses humor and exaggeration to highlight the absurdity of human behavior and to challenge his readers to think critically about their own values and actions.
In a nutshell, *Gulliver's Travels* is a timeless reflection on the human condition. While satirical, it also presents a profound exploration of human nature and its inherent contradictions, making it relevant even centuries after its publication.