Publisher's Synopsis
Paperback with 208 Pages of Additional Content (Summaries, Critical Notes, Glossary, Exercises, and more) Gulliver's Travels of the Ratna Sagar Classics Series is an enriched edition that any keen reader of literature will be pleased to have. This classic is divided into two books, each carrying: a. A brief, well-written Introduction to the novel b. Annotations that are comprehensive, covering not only the meanings of words and phrases peculiar to the period in which the book was written, but explaining any concept or historical event that may not be easily understood or recalled c. Summary at the end of each chapter that is concise yet sufficiently detailed to provide a faithful reproduction of that part of the story d. Critical notes at the end of each chapter that present an analysis of the chapter so that the reader can identify the nuances, allusions, and underlying meanings, and therefore appreciate the story better e. General notes at the end of the book that present an overview of the book, contexting it in the period in which it was written, and discuss the major themes, characters, or the genre of the book f. Artwork that bring to life certain episodes in the story Suggestions for further reading and website links that the reader will find informative and helpful Rightly described as 'Hans Christian Andersen for children, Boccacio for adults', Gulliver's Travels is the most celebrated work of Jonathan Swift. Written as an incisive satire on the society and politics of the time, the book went on to become a favourite with children as well. From its very first edition, Gulliver's Travels was popular across all ages. In the book the author uses the medium of travel literature to satirize human nature and society. Through Gulliver's trip to the four fantastical nations, Swift reflects the follies of European culture, especially England. He criticizes European colonialism and the consequent brutality and destruction that was inflicted upon innocent, native populations under the pretext of civilizing them. The protagonist in the book, Lemuel Gulliver, is also the pseudonym under which Swift wrote the book, fearing that the satire may not be received well by the readers and the political establishment. Gulliver is a trusting, gullible man, who by strange twists of fate lands in strange places and has unusual encounters. His experiences in the island of the tiny Lilliputs, the land of the giant Brobdingnagians, the floating island of the Laputians, and the utopian land of the Houyhnhnms provide the ground for criticizing European culture, especially English society. Parallels from real life and incidents of Swift's time emerge as one reads about each voyage, turning the book into a powerful alleagorical commentary. By the end of the story, Swift's criticism of mankind and society becomes so bitter that Gulliver is shown to recoil from human society. He stays away even from his own family. However, the satire, lighthearted in the beginning and scathing towards the end, does not make the book any less enjoyable. Gulliver's Travels remains a timeless classic for adults and an enchanting tale of fantasy for children.
