[Gulliver’s master examines his body] · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: [Gulliver’s master examines his body]
Period: 1800-1850;
Description: Astonished by the concept of clothing, Gulliver’s master examines both his clothes and his body. His Master noted that Gulliver’s body was different from that of the yahoos, in colour, softness and smoothness of the skin, and lack of hair, saying he must be a perfect yahoo. This reflects the European prejudice against Native Americans. Gulliver explained to his master why Europeans wear clothing, both for decency and for protection against the elements. His master questioned why someone would want to hide what nature had given them, as the Houyhnhnms were not ashamed of their bodies. Nevertheless, his master told Gulliver to do as he wished. The same image appears in the 1843 Krabbe edition.
Image Creator: Grandville (Illustrator)
Type: StillImage; Book Illustrations
Identifier: mta:21162
Language: ger
Source Name: Gulliver's Reisen in unbekannte Länder
Parent Collection: 1839 Stuttgart Grandville vol. 2; 1839 Stuttgart Grandville vol. 2
Image: mta_21162_OBJ.png
Collection: Gulliver's Travels
Subject: Houyhnhnms (Fictitious Characters); Yahoos (Fictitious Characters); Clothing; fictional works; imaginary places; Fictitious characters; imaginary creatures