The Priest in Gulliver's Travels

Dr. Jonathan Swift was a priest of the Church of England. For a sermon, he wrote: "I look upon myself, in the capacity of Clergyman, to be appointed by providence for defending a post assigned me, and for gaining over as many enemies as I can." He is ever-present in the role of priest in Gulliver's Travels. The Anglican Church is a State Church. For centuries it has taught profound truths through ritual and symbolism. Dr. Swift used Christian symbolism and political allegory in Gulliver's Travels, being fully aware that his contemporary readers would perceive and understand the underlying dimension of the work. After two and a half centuries, Dr. Swift's sermons are gentle and placid, but his masterpiece continues to disturb readers. Through Gulliver's Travels, the Dean of Saint Patrick's Cathedral continues to defend his post and gain over many enemies.