Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Subject: English Literature, World History (can be adapted)

Grade Level: 9-12 (depending on reading level)

Time Allotment: 4-6 weeks (depending on depth of study)

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to define and identify satire in literature.
  • Students will be able to analyze the social and political critiques presented in "Gulliver's Travels."
  • Students will be able to interpret symbolism and allegory within the text.
  • Students will be able to compare and contrast the societies Gulliver encounters.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the enduring relevance of Swift's satire in the contemporary world.

Materials:

  • Copies of "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift (focusing on Lilliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa, and Houyhnhnms)
  • Whiteboard/Projector
  • Markers/Pens
  • Chart paper or handout for note-taking
  • Images or videos depicting the societies Gulliver encounters (optional)

Lesson Procedures:

Week 1: Introduction and Satire

  1. Brainstorming: Begin by asking students what they know about satire. Elicit responses and discuss its key characteristics (exaggeration, irony, humor used for critique).
  2. Historical Context: Briefly introduce Jonathan Swift and the historical context in which he wrote "Gulliver's Travels" (18th century England, political and social issues). Discuss the potential targets of his satire.

Weeks 2-3: Adventures and Critique

  1. Reading and Analyzing: Divide the novel into manageable sections focusing on specific journeys (Lilliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa, Houyhnhnms). After each section, students engage in close reading activities, focusing on societal structures, customs, and Gulliver's interactions.
  2. Satirical Elements: Guide students to identify satirical elements within the text. How does Swift use exaggeration, irony, and humor to critique English society? (e.g., Lilliputians' obsession with size and hierarchy, Brobdingnagians' simple values vs. English corruption)
  3. Symbolism and Allegory: Discuss the use of symbolism and allegory in the text. For example, Lilliput might symbolize England, and the Lilliputians represent specific social classes or political figures.

Week 4: Comparing Societies

  1. Venn Diagrams: Have students create Venn diagrams to compare and contrast the societies Gulliver encounters. This will help them identify recurring themes and targets of Swift's satire.
  2. Class Discussion: Facilitate a class discussion about the different societies Gulliver encounters. What are their strengths and weaknesses? How do they act as mirrors to English society?

Week 5: Relevance and Legacy

  1. Modern Connections: Students research current events or social issues that connect to themes explored in "Gulliver's Travels" (e.g., political corruption, scientific advancements, societal obsession with technology).
  2. Enduring Critique: Discuss the enduring relevance of Swift's satire. How does "Gulliver's Travels" continue to be relevant in the contemporary world? Can students identify real-world examples that echo Swift's critiques?

Week 6 (Optional):

  1. Creative Response: Students can choose a creative response activity, such as writing a satirical news article from the perspective of a Lilliputian or Brobdingnagian citizen, creating a political cartoon lampooning a current issue, or writing a letter from Gulliver to a contemporary figure.
  2. Essay Writing: Students write an essay analyzing a specific satirical target in the novel and its relevance to a chosen historical event or contemporary issue.

Differentiation:

  • Provide pre-reading activities, chapter summaries, or audiobooks for struggling readers.
  • Offer extension activities for advanced readers, such as researching specific historical figures or philosophical movements satirized by Swift.
  • Modify assignments to cater to different learning styles (e.g., artistic learners can create visual representations of the societies)

Assessment:

  • Participation in class discussions and group activities
  • Quality of notes, presentations, and creative responses (if applicable)
  • Completion of Venn diagrams
  • Essay writing (if applicable)

Extension Activities:

  • Students can research the life and works of other satirists and compare their approaches to Swift's.
  • Students can explore the concept of utopian and dystopian societies and how "Gulliver's Travels" relates to these genres.