Educated vs. Ignorant
We live in a society that rewards those who are educated. Who are we to say who is educated and who is not? In the story about Gulliver’s travels, we are faced with the realization that reading books and writing papers are not the only things that can make one “smart.”
The horses, or Houyhnhnms, are very intelligent creatures but have no literary means to which they have become intelligent. “To help my memory, I formed all I learned in to the English alphabet, and writ the words down with the translations. This last, after some time, I ventured to do in my master’s presence. It cost me much trouble to explain to him what I was doing; for the inhabitants have not the least idea of books or literature” (Swift 445). Houyhnhnms may not have literary means of intelligence, but they are considered the civil creatures of their land. In our society, we base so many thoughts to what books have taught us; why can we not use the common sense that lies within to be considered smart?
The Houyhnhnms of this land were very curious as to how Gulliver was so opposite of the Yahoos that resembled him so accurately. “My master was eager to learn from whence I came; how I acquired those appearances of reason, which I discovered in all my actions; and to know my story from my own mouth…” (Swift 445). The horses were eager to know more and expand their knowledge base.
Ignorance is the fact of not being familiar with different ways; education is just ignorance mixed with curiosity and an open mind.
(274 words)
(274 words)
I like what you post at the end--"education is just ignorance with curiosity and an open mind." We do learn that the Houyhnhnms are not totally aware; they do have areas of ignorance.
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