Explore Literature: Satire and the Human Beast

$100.00

Forget the sanitized versions of giants and tiny sailors you might have seen in cartoons; it is time to face the real Jonathan Swift. In this course, we move beyond the "children’s story" veneer of Lemuel Gulliver’s voyages to uncover one of the most savage works of social commentary ever written. Students will analyze Jonathan Swift’s use of satire, irony, and perspective to critique human nature, government, and the Enlightenment’s obsession with "reason." We are diving headfirst into a world where horses are more logical than people and where the "greatest" empires are literally the size of a dollhouse. If you have ever felt that the world around you is slightly absurd, you will find a kindred spirit in Swift’s biting wit.

By the end of the course, students will not only understand Swift’s historical context but will also be able to identify and deploy satiric techniques in their own writing. You won't just be reading about the 18th century - you’ll be sharpening your own pens to take aim at the modern world. Are you ready to peel back the layers of societal pretense and see humanity for what it truly is? Join us as we explore the darkest corners of the human ego, learn how to "troll" with intellectual precision, and transform your perspective on what it means to be "civilized."

Forget the sanitized versions of giants and tiny sailors you might have seen in cartoons; it is time to face the real Jonathan Swift. In this course, we move beyond the "children’s story" veneer of Lemuel Gulliver’s voyages to uncover one of the most savage works of social commentary ever written. Students will analyze Jonathan Swift’s use of satire, irony, and perspective to critique human nature, government, and the Enlightenment’s obsession with "reason." We are diving headfirst into a world where horses are more logical than people and where the "greatest" empires are literally the size of a dollhouse. If you have ever felt that the world around you is slightly absurd, you will find a kindred spirit in Swift’s biting wit.

By the end of the course, students will not only understand Swift’s historical context but will also be able to identify and deploy satiric techniques in their own writing. You won't just be reading about the 18th century - you’ll be sharpening your own pens to take aim at the modern world. Are you ready to peel back the layers of societal pretense and see humanity for what it truly is? Join us as we explore the darkest corners of the human ego, learn how to "troll" with intellectual precision, and transform your perspective on what it means to be "civilized."

Academic Fine-Print for Grownups:

This course specifically challenges students to become literary detectives, decoding the savage social critiques masked by the whimsical "travelogue" style of the 18th century. By navigating Lemuel Gulliver’s four voyages—from the tiny tyrants of Lilliput to the rational horses of the Houyhnhnms—we uncover how Jonathan Swift weaponized the absurd to expose the corruption of government, the arrogance of science, and the inherent flaws of human nature.

Learning Goals:

  • Deconstruct Satiric Architecture: Identify and analyze the specific literary weapons—including hyperbole, reversal, and irony—used by Swift to dismantle the institutions of his era.

  • Contextualize Human Absurdity: Compare and contrast 18th-century "Enlightenment" ideals and political factions with modern-day power structures and social tribalism.

  • Evaluate Narrative Reliability: Differentiate between the objective truth of Gulliver’s travels and the subjective evolution of his character as he descends into misanthropy and madness.

  • Develop Rhetorical Precision: Practice the art of "intellectual trolling" by crafting original satirical pieces that address contemporary issues with sophisticated wit and biting critique.

  • Synthesize Perspective and Power: Analyze how the manipulation of physical scale and foreign perspectives serves as a tool to reveal the "grossness" and vanity of human society.

Required Text:

Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (1726) (any unabridged edition)

For your Curriculum Records, we will cover:

  • Historical Context

  • Critical Thinking

  • Classic Literature

  • Philosophy

  • Ethics

  • Creative Writing

  • Formal (non-fiction) Writing

Dates and Location:

Section A: Ages 12+ will meet Mondays from 10-11am Eastern, and will run from Monday, March 25 through Monday, May 18. All 8 classes will be held over Zoom. (There will be no class on Monday, April 6.)

Class Etiquette: I expect and require gentle, respectful language in my classes, and ask that all students come to class prepared to treat each other with kindness. These classes are a great opportunity for your kiddos to practice social/soft skills, with the underlying perspective that we’re all in this together.