Jonathan was born in 1667 in Dublin, of English parents. His family returned to England at the time of the Glorious Revolution in 1688. He started to work as secretary to Sir William Temple, a Whig statesman. Later, he returned to Ireland in 1694 and became an Anglican priest. Jonathan then produced writings for the Tory administration and was made Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin in April 1713. He passed away in 1745, still regarded as a national hero in Ireland.
He produced several works including "Tale of a Tub" (1704), a satire about religious parties, "The Battle of the Books" (written in 1679, published in 1704), a satire about the merits of ancient and modern literature, "Gulliver's Travels" (1726), a satirical novel, and "A Modest Proposal" (1729). Jonathan was known as a controversial writer whose first satirical works were encouraged by others. He was alternatively labelled as a misanthrope with a morbid attitude, a monster, and a lover of mankind. He was concerned with politics and society, showing a conservative attitude and a pessimistic view that contrasted with the optimism of his age.
"Gulliver's Travels" was printed in London in 1726 and contained four books, each describing a different setting and Gulliver's voyages. In Book 1, Gulliver reaches the land of Lilliput, a childhood fantasy world for very small people. In Book 2, he lands on the land of Brobdingnag where he finds himself surrounded by a race of giants. In Book 3, he lands on the island of Laputa where Swift satirizes the scientific community in Great Britain. Finally, in Book 4, Gulliver lands on the land of the Houyhnhnms, a country governed by intellectual horses.
In Book 1, Gulliver sails for India, becomes the king's pet in the land of Lilliput, and then ends up in Brobdingnag. Eventually, he returns to England. In Book 3, after being attacked by pirates, he lands on the island of Laputa and eventually returns to England. The last voyage in Book 4 takes Gulliver to the land of the Houyhnhnms where he is banished by the horses and leaves for England.
Jonathan drew inspiration from the literature of travel and the work of the Royal Society. He used political allegory and was influenced by 17th-century French writers who used imaginary voyages as a vehicle for their theories.
Gulliver is described as middle-aged, well-educated, sensitive, and a careful observer. He differs from the typical traveler and is disgusted by the corruption in Europe.
"Gulliver's Travels" can be interpreted as a tale for children, a political allegory of Swift's time, a parody of voyage literature, and a masterpiece of misanthropy reflecting on the aberration of human reason.
The novel is written in the first-person narration with a matter-of-fact prose style. It is free of literary coloring and provides a record of observed details with the precision of a scientific instrument.
