Yahoos are represented as a satire of which real-life group?

In "Gulliver's Travels," Yahoos are depicted as brutish, uncivilized creatures that embody the worst traits of humanity, such as greed, violence, and a lack of reason. Jonathan Swift uses them as a satirical representation of the baser instincts found in all human beings, but he particularly targets certain societal behaviors. The choice of the Irish in this context can be tied to the political climate of Swift's time, where there was a significant amount of prejudice against the Irish population by the English ruling class.

Swift, who was of Irish descent and had a vested interest in Irish issues, uses the Yahoos to reflect the contempt and dehumanization expressed towards the Irish, portraying them as a group seen as lower or less civilized. This satirical approach is effective in highlighting social injustice and the demeaning perspectives that contribute to societal divides. The characterization of Yahoos serves not only as a critique of specific groups but also as a broader commentary on human nature, revealing how those in power often view the oppressed as subhuman.