How Did the Lilliputians Educate Their Children?
Gulliver’s Travels is a notable literary work by Jonathan Swift. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Gulliver’s Travels.
Answer
How did the Lilliputians educate their children?
In Jonathan Swift’s (1667 –1745) “Gulliver’s Travels” (1726), the Lilliputians have a distinctive system of education for their children. It reflects their societal values and structure. Here’s an overview of their educational practices:
State-Controlled Education: Unlike many societies where family plays a central role in early education, Lilliputians remove children from their parents at a young age and place them in public nurseries. This system aims to ensure uniformity in upbringing and adherence to state principles.
Class-Based Education: The educational system is divided according to social class. The children of nobility and people of higher rank receive a more comprehensive education focusing on administration, leadership, and other skills necessary for governance and maintaining their social status.
Practical Skills for Commoners: Children of commoners and laborers are taught practical skills suited to their future roles in society. This education is more focused on manual labor and trades. This system ensures they can contribute effectively to the economy.
The nurseries for children of ordinary gentlemen, merchants, traders, and handicrafts, are managed proportionably after the same manner;
Physical Education: Physical health and fitness are considered important. Children engage in various physical activities to ensure they grow strong and healthy. They are capable of serving the state in whatever capacity is required.
They have certain professors well skilled in preparing children for such a condition of life as befits the rank of their parents, and their own capacities,
Separation of Genders: Boys and girls are educated separately, with different curriculums reflecting the gender roles within Lilliputian society. Girls are prepared for domestic duties and roles considered appropriate for women, while boys are trained for public and professional responsibilities.
In conclusion, this educational system in Lilliputian society reflects their collective ethos and rigid social hierarchy. It aims to produce citizens who are well-suited to their predetermined roles. This education system prioritizes the state’s stability and prosperity over individual desires.