Travel Literature

Beyond the confusing maritime language, travel literature can be said to have three things in common.

The seafarers of these stories refuse to abide by normal societal expectations. Gulliver's wanderlust causes him to leave his family on four occassions, while Crusoe and Rasselas recognise the advantage of their stations in life and yet reject them. These characters take to the sea, rebelling against their family, friends and responsibility.

The austere sea is enormous, bleak and solitary. It is into this physical isolation our protagonists arrive. There is no law at sea, no justice, no remorse and no mercy. These characters that have rejected society consequently find themselves at odds with humanity and as such, choose the only place devoid of this company.

Although our heroes set off as children, they return as adults, growing up abroad. In the case of Crusoe, it seems that he must undergo this experience on his island, as doing so at home would just further his contempt for the "middle life". Our travellers eventually learn that while we may often despise society, we cannot live without it.

While Swift asserts that "writers of travels...are sunk into oblivion", by using these three traits, their usefulness to humanity will always be recognised.

-The English Student