Gulliver’s Travels Summary and Analysis

Preface

The preface is written by Richard Sympson. It discusses his decision to publish his fellow townsman’s records of his voyages and encounters. He shares that his friend, the writer Lemuel Gulliver, is famous for his honesty. He also informs readers that he has edited out highly scientific and factual information from the book to make it easy to read. Gulliver, however, is displeased with this decision and writes back to Sympson in anger. He alleges that Sympson has liberally edited his accounts and that he has also added a section in praise of the Queen, a section Gulliver had not written in the first place. He further notes that the abuse he’s been receiving from the readers is largely due to Sympson’s edits. He ends the letter by lamenting the bad nature of the Yahoos. He also expresses his displeasure with some of his family members.