Gullivers travels The satire of book 3

The third part of Gullivers journey (A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib, and Japan) is mainly focused on criticizing more abstract concepts, such as history or intellectuals. The journey on Laputa aims to point out the flaws of the intellectuals there: the Laputans lack any sort of practical sense and they are focused on theoretical abstractions and conceptions. Misuse of reason is described in chapters 5-6, where Gulliver visits the Academy and witnesses its useless experiments. Another interesting topic treated in the third book is the question of immortality, posed under the Struldburgs. There are immortal beings, however immortality does not protect them from growing old. Here, Swift explains that man was meant to be mortal, and that a body cannot hold a neverending life. In spite of our reason and power, us humans are subjected to the same laws even the simplest forms of life are: death and growing old. It is affirmed that morality is needed in order for humanity to advance, since reason and endless life are not enough. Sarcasm is used when describing laputans: the parallels are drawn to the intellectuals of Swifts day ("not seen a more clumsy, awkward, and unhandy people, nor so slow and perplexed in their conception of other subjects"), and also when Gulliver expresses his opinion regarding the ghosts he talks to on Glubbdubdrib ("How low an opinion I had of human wisdom and integrity, when I was truly informed"). Swift has a negative view of humanity which he expresses through Gulliver, and has chosen sarcasm to explain his more bitter opinions. Irony appears in the case of the immortals. Immortality is a goal humanity has strived to achieve since the beginning of time. However, it is more of a curse than a blessing. Swift explains that immortality is not the key to wisdom and enlightenment, but rather morality and ethic. Irony also makes an appearance in the case of the Academy on Balnibarbi: the scientists try to appear very educated and want to give off the impression that their experiments are very important. However, the sheer ridiculousness and their utter inutility proves Gulliver otherwise. Experiments such as extracting sunlight from a cucumber, or finding treasonous plots through analysis of human excrement are so ridiculous that one cannot help but laugh or be shocked.