How are the Houyhnhnms characterized?

How are the Houyhnhnms characterized?

• A. As brutish creatures
• B. As intelligent, rational horses
• C. As lazy humanoid beings
• D. As mythical guardians

Answer: (B)

The Houyhnhnms are characterized as intelligent, rational horses who embody ideals of reason, virtue, and a harmonious existence. In Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels," they are depicted as a highly developed society that values logic and reason over emotion. Unlike humans, who often act irrationally and selfishly, the Houyhnhnms live according to principles of honesty and fairness. This portrayal serves as a critique of human nature and society, contrasting the rationality of the Houyhnhnms with the flaws of human civilization. Their exceptional intelligence and moral philosophy highlight themes of enlightenment and the potential for a more ideal social order, making the characterization of the Houyhnhnms significant in understanding Swift's satirical views on humanity.

The Houyhnhnms are characterized as intelligent, rational horses who embody ideals of reason, virtue, and a harmonious existence. In Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels," they are depicted as a highly developed society that values logic and reason over emotion. Unlike humans, who often act irrationally and selfishly, the Houyhnhnms live according to principles of honesty and fairness. This portrayal serves as a critique of human nature and society, contrasting the rationality of the Houyhnhnms with the flaws of human civilization. Their exceptional intelligence and moral philosophy highlight themes of enlightenment and the potential for a more ideal social order, making the characterization of the Houyhnhnms significant in understanding Swift's satirical views on humanity.