Question

Does the king think that men in Gulliver’s England are qualified for their positions? Why? What can you conclude is Swift’s opinion about those in power in England?

Answer 1

Answer:

The king does not seem to think that men in England are qualified to be in their positions. He sounded repulsed with the idea that people use gunpowder and kill each other, the violence and the bloodshed that it brings.

Explanation:

The character Gulliver's interaction with the king of Brobdingnag in Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver Travels" shows the king feeling repulsed about the idea of using gunpowder against each other, fighting wars and bringing about bloodshed. Men of England were, to him, were the most barbaric of their kind. For him, he delights in new discoveries of the art or nature but detests any acts of violence.

Through this scene, we can also get to know Swift's position and opinion of England. This discourse is a veiled representation of his stand on England's policies, criticizing the government of England and that what she is doing is not the best for the people and that England's rulers or political leaders are all useless in terms of caring for the development of people.

Answer 2

The king doesn't believe the men in power of England are most likely right t be there. Gulliver's Travels poses the question of whether physical or moral righteousness should be the governing factor in the country.