Little People, Big World...
Perhaps Jonathan Swift concocted some of his tale after a
wee bit too much of the creature, or possibly, he was trying to satirize the
state of the political climate. Either
way, he created a long lasting classic that is arguably the most famous story
to come out of the 18th Century...it has never gone out of print...
Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In
Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several
Ships being the full title, it
has come down to us simply as Gulliver's Travels. Originally published in 1726, it represents a
Worldview in a time when travel narratives were all the rage and some of the
most famous and infamous pirates raged across the Caribbean. In other words, Gulliver's Travels is
lampoon. In addition to the 1726 first
edition, there is also a 1735 edition that has some claim to being the true
first edition for this particular narrative.
Supposedly, the later impression is a more complete text as well, and
comes from Swift's most complete manuscript.
The first edition of
Gulliver's Travels is freely available online, but I have been unable to find a
1735 edition facsimile, so the very first set of two volumes will have to
do. Incidentally, this book has been
banned at on time or another, which is surprising given its popularity and
stature within the history of Western Literature...besides...who could ever be
offended by a cute little Lilliputian? I
guess some folks just didn’t appreciate good humor...
The 1726 first edition:
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