instincts which makes them act in disgusting ways. The yahoos are therefore a symbol of human
beings in their worst forms and it is through observing the yahoos that Gulliver learns human
beings are a far departure from what is considered ‘ideal’.
Every aspect of the houyhnhnms from the way that they look to their mode of behaviour
is very high in standard. They act orderly and accordingly to nature. They are extremely
civilized and unlike the yahoos, they do not fight each other off for food. In fact, they live in
very nice habitations and display etiquette around the dinner table so that no disputes would
occur among them. In addition, they are also very natural in appearance for they do not wear
clothing. The logic behind their lack of clothing is so that they have nothing to hide. They are
not shameful creatures unlike Gulliver’s species. Gulliver learns from them that humans only
wear clothing because they are ashamed that underneath their clothing, they are just as savage
and uncivilized as the yahoos. Clothing, in that effect, only makes human beings appear more
civilized when on a basic level, they are not civilized to the least:
If he pleased to command me; only desiring his Excuse, if I did not expose those
Parts, that Nature taught us to conceal. He said my Discourse was all very strange,
but, especially the last part; for he could not understand why Nature should teach
us to conceal what Nature had given. That neither himself nor family have
ashamed of any parts of their Bodies, but however I might do as I pleased (200).
Thus, the houyhnhms are creatures who live according to nature and humans depart from this
ideal standard of conduct by wearing clothes to conceal what they really are.
The houyhnhnms are also a creature of high moral values. They are very homogenous in
the way that they think and act. Everyone knows right from wrong and the consequences of
punishments and rewards. They are not open to other opinions for the fact that the more
opinions there are, the greater the number of disagreements. Disagreements only lead to fights
and subsequently, wars. Gulliver educates the houyhnhnms of his native England by explaining
the notion of wars. He explains that wars are primarily based on petty things that cannot be
resolved on more rational levels:
Difference in Opinion hath cost many Millions of Lives: for instance, whether
flesh be Bread, or Bread be flesh; whether; [….]and whether it should be long or short, narrow or wide, dirty or clean, with many more. Neither are any wars so furious and bloody, or of so long continuance, as those occasioned by Difference in Opinion, especially if it be in things indifferent (207).
Thus, the houyhnhnms are ideal in their standard of conduct for they know exactly right from
wrong. They also agree on all issues so that wars never occur. Human beings on the other hand
can disagree on the littlest things and have wars based on them.
Thirdly, the houyhnhnms are thoroughly trained and disciplined creatures. They possess
perfect health through the practice of a balanced lifestyle. They are disciplined to resist all
temptation. They do not abuse their bodies by consuming excessive portions of alcohol or salt
and have remedies to cure whatever illnesses that may plague them. As a result, they live long
and fulfilling lives and die when it is their time to go. Therefore, if one of them shall pass on, the
rest would not become overly emotional, but rather react rationally. Human beings fall short
of this ideal living of resisting all temptation. They are more intuitive with their basic and
savage needs and do not think of the outcomes of their actions:
That we sate whole Nights drinking Liquors without eating a bit, which disposed
us to Sloth, enflamed (…..), so that great Numbers come into the world with
complicated Maladies upon them; that is would be endless to give him a
Catalogue all Diseases; needless to human Bodies appropriated to them (214).
Thus, houyhnhnms are ideal in their standard of conduct for they do not give in to temptations.
Human beings, similar to the yahoos, depart from this ideal standard of living by wasting away
on things such as alcohol.
In conclusion, by discovering different cultures and habitats, Gulliver gradually changes
his perceptions of where he comes from and the values and norms that he has grown up with.
While on his voyage to the land of the houyhnhnms, he learns that there is a more highly
civilized and ideal species than humans. The houyhnhnms are highly rational and live life free
of all illnesses. Humans are prone to laziness, immoral behaviour and greed among many other
imperfections. Even though humans may be civilized compared to many other animals such as
primates for instance, they do fall short of idealness and high standards of living from the
houyhnhnms. Therefore, species are only perceived as either civilized or uncivilized, moral or
immoral if they are being compared to other species.
