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Part 4. A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS
The fourth voyage brings Gulliver to the ideal country of the Houyhnhnms, . where there is neither sickness, dishonesty, nor any of the frivolities of human society. The human race occupies t position of servility there and a noble race of horses rules the country with reason and justice. Swift made horses the (embodiment of wisdom, because colloquial English the expression "horse sense" is a synonym for "common sense". The horses possess virtues which are superior to those of men. Unlike the Houyhnhnms, the Yahoos are ugly, deceitful, greedy, and vicious creatures. Having much in common with human be'ngs in appearance, they possess all the evil qualities one can think of.
Some bourgeois critics say that these beastly creatures show Swift's extreme pessimism, which was caused by a deep contempt and hatred of humanity. These critics do not see the real nature of Swift's pessimism; it was called forth by his great love for ithe common people whose sufferings he so keenly felt.
While speaking to the king of the Houyhnhinms, Gulliver tells him about his native country and about the different causes of wars. By making his hero praise the war policy of Englamd, the author shows its stupidity and inconsistency. This device is pecuiliar to Swift's style.
The king of the Houyhnhnms has no idea of what war is, and Gulliver gives him the following description.
SWIFT, THE GREATEST WRITER OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Like all the writers of the period. Swift wanted to enlighten people, trying to share with them his opinion and judgment concerning men and things. In his works, in the pamphlets in particular, he addressed himself to thecommon people, whom he supported with all hisTieart. Unlike many of his contemporaries who wanted to better the world simply by teaching. Swift openly protested against the vicious social order, and went so far in his criticism as to attack the vital principles of the bourgeois system as a whole. The great writer saw oppression, vice and misery all around, but did not know how to eliminate them. The tragic fate of the Irish people'especially grieved him and he did all he could to help them to secure their independence. Swift did not see any sure way of making people happy, – hence his pessimism, which led to bitterness and biting satire-in the allegorical portrayal of contemporary life which we find in "Gulliver's Travels".
The greatest merit of the novel lies in the satirical description of all the faults and vices of the society of the time. Under the cloak of what seems pure fantasy Swift attacks the politics of the time, religious prejudices, wars of ambition and the absurdity of many aspects of science. Swift's uniquely simple style has an incomparable exactness and precision. Even' line and every detail is alive with bitter, biting satire. The author presents the most improbable situations with the utmost gravity and makes the reader believe them.
Swift's ideas, as expressed in "Gulliver's Travels" had a great influence on the writers who came after him. The work has become popular in all languages. Like Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe". it has the merit both of amusing children and making men think.
In his satirical "Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift" (1733), the writer sums up the meaning of his life:
Fair Liberty was all his cry;
For her he stood prepar'd to die;
For her he boldly stood alone;
For her he oft exposed his own.