Who does Gulliver represent in the political satire within the book?

Gulliver symbolizes the European men of letters and explorers in the political satire presented in "Gulliver's Travels." As a character, he embodies the curiosity and adventuresome spirit of Enlightenment thinkers and explorers of the 18th century. Throughout his journeys, he encounters various civilizations that reflect different aspects of society, politics, and human nature, allowing Swift to critique and satirize contemporary European culture, politics, and colonialism.

His experiences serve to highlight the absurdities and vices present in both the societies he visits and in his own, illustrating how Enlightenment values such as reason and progress often fail in practice. By positioning Gulliver as a figure of intellectual exploration, Swift is able to examine the disconnect between lofty ideals and the flawed realities of human governance and societal organization. This critique is central to understanding the broader themes of the novel and Swift's intentions as a satirist.