Which aspect of human nature is highlighted through the behavior of the Yahoos?

The behavior of the Yahoos in Gulliver's Travels serves as a stark representation of the baser instincts and moral decay inherent in humanity. These creatures are depicted as primitive and brutish, indulging in their base desires without any semblance of reason, compassion, or civilization. Through their actions and characteristics, Jonathan Swift critiques aspects of humanity that lean towards savagery, materialism, and a lack of morality.

The Yahoos are driven by greed, lust, and an insatiable hunger for pleasure, showcasing the darker side of human nature. In stark contrast to the rational Houyhnhnms, who embody reason, virtue, and harmony, the Yahoos highlight the potential for moral decay when humans succumb to their animalistic impulses. Swift uses the Yahoos to explore themes of dehumanization and the consequences of losing one's rationality and ethical compass, emphasizing the critique of society's shortcomings.

This portrayal of the Yahoos effectively emphasizes how, without reason and moral guidance, humanity can devolve into chaos and degradation, emphasizing the crucial balance between the rational and instinctual aspects of human nature.