GULLIVER’S TRAVELS: A STUDY IN LAMARCKIAN SELF

Abstract

Gulliver’s Travels has been interpreted from diverse perspectives. Critical assumptions dominantly concentrate upon the nature of the book and the protagonist. Richard Quintana, for instance, sees it a satiric comedy cast in the form of the imaginary voyage. Patrick Reilly considers it an attack on the party of humanity_ deists, rationalists, free thinkers, benevolists and sentimentalists_ who denied the doctrine of original sin and attempted to absolve human nature of corruption. There are critics like Arthur E. Case who is more interested in the allegorical aspect of the book. Our study deviates from the aforementioned views and focuses on the evolutionary angle of the book. We see Gulliver as a Lamarckian character who adjusts himself according to situations. Gulliver’s self is quite malleable; it is never rigid. It changes with every new culture. Adaptability and acculturation are the characteristics
that Gulliver embodies, and these are the qualities which lead to his enlightenment at the end of the book. The study, however, does not attempt to discuss the scientific principles of Lamarck’s theory of evolution. It discusses the literary implications of the theory with reference to the major character of the
book.