What is Swift critiquing before the narrative begins?

In "Gulliver's Travels," Swift critiques other travel narratives before the main story unfolds. This critique is essential to understanding the context and tone of the work. He presents Gulliver's adventures as a parody of the travel literature popular at the time, which often exaggerated or fabricated experiences to impress readers with exotic tales. By subverting common tropes found in these narratives, Swift aims to expose the flaws and naivety in the way authors of his time represented foreign cultures and landscapes. He highlights the tendency of these writers to prioritize sensationalism or dubious claims over genuine exploration and understanding. This critique not only sets the stage for Gulliver's own journey but also serves to establish Swift's satirical approach to storytelling, where the absurdities of the mainstream travel literature are lampooned through his character's experiences.