This early 18th-century satire novel was supposed to parody the popular genre of travel literature. It juxtaposes physical and moral strength, the power of knowledge and differences of societies and state structures. English surgeon Lemuel Gulliver leaves England again and again for travels to far-off lands. The countries and societies he visits are fictional and, although utterly different, as flawed as his European home. During his journeys, the question remains: Does a perfect society exist and if yes, what would it look like?

The novel, which is in the public domain, provides a good basis for discussions about colonialism, different societies and different kinds of power. Thus, it might be suitable for an interdisciplinary teaching project with Politics. The easy reading editions make the text accessible for intermediate learners of English.

Novel · Ireland · 1726