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What part of Gulliver's travels best represents America?

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Gulliver's Travels, a novel by Jonathan Swift, was written in the 18th century, long before the United States of America was founded. However, there are several parts of the book that have been interpreted as reflecting aspects of American culture and history.

One section of the book that has been seen as representing America is Gulliver's visit to the land of the Houyhnhnms, a race of intelligent, rational horses who live in a society free from the vices and follies of human civilization. This society is often interpreted as a commentary on the Enlightenment ideals of reason, progress, and natural law, which were influential in shaping the political and social values of early America. The Houyhnhnms' emphasis on logic and reason over emotion and passion may also be seen as reflecting American values of pragmatism and rationality.

Another section of the book that has been associated with America is Gulliver's visit to the island of Luggnagg, where he encounters the struldbrugs, a race of immortal beings who are nonetheless condemned to a life of misery and despair. This section has been interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of unbridled ambition and the pursuit of eternal youth, which may be seen as cautionary tales for a young nation grappling with questions of national identity and purpose.

Finally, Gulliver's encounters with the inhabitants of the various lands he visits, including the Lilliputians, the Brobdingnagians, and the Laputans, may be seen as reflections of various aspects of American society and culture. For example, the Lilliputians' petty politics and obsession with trivialities may be seen as satirical jabs at the political squabbles and partisan divisions of early America, while the Brobdingnagians' emphasis on physical size and strength may be seen as a commentary on American preoccupation with power and dominance.

Overall, while there is no one section of Gulliver's Travels that definitively represents America, the novel as a whole may be seen as a commentary on the human condition and the follies of society, with elements that are applicable to a wide range of cultures and historical periods.

~~~Harsha~~~

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