Thursday, July 23, 2026
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Soupçon III. iii
Soupçon III In Memoriam Series. III.iii
Yesterday we looked at two basic narrative modes within which the novel operates; namely, travelogue and fantasy. The novel, though now considered a children's book, is essentially a great satire.
Though his "The Journal to Stella" reveals his warmth and gentleness, Swift indeed is known as a great satirist as is proven by his famous "A Modest Proposal" which mocks both, the wealthy and the religious establishment because both are heartlessly indifferent to the plight of the poor in Ireland, Swift's motherland.
In his "Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift", he maintains, "Yet malice never was his aim;/He lashed the vice, but spared the name." Further, he states, "His satire points at no defect,/But what all mortals may correct." In other words, his satire does not deride an individual, rather shows up the British and European vices. In Part IV, he renders ridiculous the very human race, and so much so that his critique is often considered misanthropic.
The satire in "Gulliver's Travels" is 'formal satire' of the 'Juvenalian' mode. It has unmistakable elements of the 'indirect satire' in the 'Menippean' mode as well. Tomorrow we shall summarise the novel, and continue to analyse the satirical elements accordingly.
Pratima Agnihotri
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Soupçon III.ii
Soupçon III In Memoriam Series. III.ii
We can understand and appreciate "Gulliver's Travels" better if we understand the genres Swift is using. First and foremost, we have to grant that this travelogue is a 'phantasy'. The modern spelling of this term often is 'fantasy'.
In the typical fantasy mode, this novel is speculative fiction. It presents multiple constructed worlds full of mythical creatures, be it Lilliput or Brobdingnag, Laputa or the country of the Houyhnhnms.
True, in this imaginary universe, Tribnia and Langden in the third voyage are respectively Britain and England, places Swift mocks for their constant counter- plotting and tale-telling. That, however, is precisely the strength and beauty of the irony and satire with which the novel overflows.
Even if Gulliver's travels are fantastique, as readers, we are ready to suspend disbelief because they reflect what Aristotle calls 'probable impossibility.' Swift's narration reverberates with emotional truth, not to forget its tremendous narrative coherence. The lack of strict factual realism, in fact, adds to the pointedness of Swift's satire.
We can call this novel a 'phantasie' also/especially because the main character's, Gulliver's, travels are a hero's journey. Not only does he face trials and confront conflicts, but he also evolves, he grows as a person in the process. Hence this 'high fantasie', with adventures in entirely fictitious wo(r)lds, appears both true and real. Tomorrow and the day after, let us look at the travelogue as a satire.
Pratima Agnihotri
N.B.: We have consciously used all the possible spellings of the genre so as to cover all its major characteristics.
Likhe jo geet unho ne!
Bollywood songs are great, often because the lyricists who pen them are masters of their art. Undoubtedly, the music directors and the singers, too, are out of this world. Yet, often, it is the words that make these worlds.
Monday, July 20, 2026
A cute circular juncture/gesture
No, I am not particularly a football fan. Sure, I would be aware of the date of the World Cup Final. Yes, I would know the two finalists fighting it out. Undoubtedly, I have chosen the word 'fighting' pretty consciously as I like immensely George Orwell's most interesting essay on "The Sporting Spirit."
This time round, the battle was not merely between Spain and Argentina, two countries cemented together by "español, la lengua materna." Rather, it was a continental war, between Europe and South America, between "el mundo viejo" and "los porteños y guachos."
Apparently, highly exciting it should have been. Yet, despite the extra time required for the final decisive goal, the match, it seems was not as high on adrenaline as the post match fights between fans (Orwell is a prescient author!) or the erstwhile Egyptian lament.
That, however, is not the theme of our blog anyways. Our post today deals with a cute movement rarely seen in the football arena, a warm embrace between the setting sun and a rising star. Yes, let us celebrate the 'love'ly moment between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.
Why call it circular? Well, the story goes back to 2007 when the twenty year old Messi was the young kid on the block, and Yamal was in a bathtub. Literally! Yes, there is this cute photo of a grinning Messi bathing the beaming baby Yamal!
Apparently, the Yamal family had won a raffle which granted them a chance to pose with a Barcelona player. Thus was clicked THE pic with Messi, the UNICEF Goodwill ambassador. The shot adorned the calendar for the month of January that year, and the fifty per cent of the proceeds went to the UNICEF.
Flash forward to July 2026 when the then baby, too, is now a Liga Barcelona product, a UNICEF ambassador for children's rights, and a star player like the icon who, in a way, baptised him in to these roles two decades ago! Life surely turns a full circle wherein a warm gesture grants that the end is the beginning, and vice versa!
Pratima@ This World Cup, possibly Messi's last one, may not have fetched him many accolades. In fact, the Egypt fiasco got him solid brickbats. The Egyptian fans, furious with FIFA, vented their ire against Señor Trump, too. Quenched, however, that warm embrace embers of bitterness. Surely, all those hug well, goal a fine finish!
Quote of the day: "With one kind gesture you can change a life. One person at a time, you can change the world. One day at a time, we can change everything," says Steve Maraboli.
Word of the day: camaraderie Camaraderie refers to a spirit of friendly, loyal, and trusting fellowship that develops among people who share common goals, experiences, or time together. It represents a strong, unifying bond, often forged when individuals work and/or face challenges together.