In "Gulliver's Travels", what main trait is attributed to the Yahoos?

Prepare for the Gulliver's Travels Test. Dive into detail with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with useful hints and explanations. Ready yourself for success!

The Yahoos in "Gulliver's Travels" are primarily characterized by their brutality and primal instincts, depicting a stark contrast to the rational beings of Lilliput and the Houyhnhnms. Jonathan Swift uses the Yahoos as a satirical representation of humanity's basest qualities. They are depicted as filthy, savage creatures driven by instinctual desires and lacking in moral or intellectual capacities. This portrayal serves as a critique of human behavior and illustrates Swift's concerns regarding the nature of humanity, indicating a view that unchecked instincts can lead to a degraded state of existence.

The other traits listed in the choices do not align with the depiction of Yahoos in the text. Intelligence and reason are attributes more fitting to the Houyhnhnms, who embody rationality and civility. Creativity and artistry are aspects that the Yahoos distinctly lack, focusing instead on survival and base impulses. Wisdom and kindness are also absent, as Yahoos are shown to be selfish and aggressive. Hence, brutality and primal instincts accurately encapsulate the essence of the Yahoos, making this choice the correct one.

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