Gulliver’s TravelsGulliver’s Travels

By Jonathan Swift

“Lilliput”

Chapter One Chapter One

Tells of Gulliver’s childhood and young adulthood Takes a voyage on the Antelope, is shipwrecked Wakes up on the Island Lilliput Is a captive of the Lilliputians, people who are six

inches tall Is taken to the capital city and housed in a temple

Chapter TwoChapter TwoThe Emperor visits Gulliver and makes decisions

for the captive’s future

Gulliver is shot at by Lilliputians

He shows his clemency by scaring his attackers but letting them go unscathed, impressing the

Emperor

Intellectuals of the island are appointed to teach Gulliver the local language

The contents of Gulliver’s pockets are examined and recorded

The examiners confiscate some of his possessions including his weapons

The political allegory of England between 1708-1715 begins:

The search of Gulliver’s possessions is symbolic of The Committee of Secrecy’s investigation of two Tories: Robert Harley – Earl of Oxford and Henry St James Duke Bolingbroke

The leaders were accused of favoring France in the Treaty of Utrecht which ended the War of Spanish Succession

Also, take note of how absolutely trivial things, like emptying pockets, become “literally” an act of parliament with the Liliputians.

Chapter TwoChapter TwoChapter TwoChapter Two

Chapter ThreeChapter Three

The Emperor rewards Gulliver for his good behavior

Political candidates perform on ropes to gain favor with the ruler

Swift likens this rope-dancing performance to England’s Orders of the Garter, Bath and Thistle

Although Gulliver says he has never seen such performances, Swift is quoted saying, “And he who will leap over the stick for the King/ Is qualified best for a dog on a

string”

The court agrees to set him free with a list terms and conditions

Chapter FourChapter Four Gulliver visits the city of Mildendo which represents

London Reldresal, the Principal Secretary, explains the politics of

Lilliput The opposing parties are the Tramechsans and

Slamecksans who represent England’s Tories and Whigs They are warring over which end to break eggs which

satirizes the conflict of Catholics and Protestants The Lilliputians are involved in a war with Blefuscu

representing France in the War of Spanish Succession Gulliver pledges his allegance to the Emperor in fighting

the Blefuscuians

Gulliver swims to Blefuscu Under attack, he steals their entire fleet of ships Gulliver is made a Nardac, the highest Lillipution honor Gulliver protests the court’s plan to conquer the Blefuscuians The Blefuscuians arrive to negotiate peace and Gulliver

promises to visit their country This visit is frowned upon as Bolingbroke’s visit to France was The empress’ apartments in the palace catch on fire Gulliver is summoned for help, putting out the fire by urinating

on it Although he saves the palace, the Emperor does not approve

of how he went about it while the Empress vows revenge The emperor’s dislike of Gulliver’s peaceful position on the war

may refer to the Treaty of Utrecht which stopped the war questionably. The urination is in reference to Queen Anne’s relationship with Swift.

Chapter FiveChapter Five

Chapter SixChapter SixThe author describes Lilliputian culture

This society values morals over ability when appointing public servants

Gulliver notes that the Lilliputians differ from the English in that they use rewards as well as punishment to keep society in order

A description of the Lilliputian education system is given

The government is described as somewhat Socialist

Chapter SixChapter SixGulliver describes his

treatment: food and clothing

The author is accused of misconduct with a respectable lady

This incident relates to the infidelity of Catherine Shorter, wife of Sir Robert Walpole a Whig leader

Walpole is represented by Filmnap the Treasurer

Chapter SevenChapter SevenGulliver learns that the government has

turned against himHe is accused of high treasonThe emperor is persuaded that Gulliver

should be blinded instead of killedThis reflects the impeachment of

Bolingbroke and Oxford where it was suggested they only be accused of misdemeanors rather than treasonGulliver flees to Blefuscu where he is

welcomed Like Gulliver, Bolingbroke feared he

wouldn’t receive a fair trial and escaped to France

Chapter EightChapter EightThe author discovers a damaged boat

off the coast of Blefuscu

The locals assist him in acquiring and refurbishing the boat

The Emperor of Lilliput calls for Gulliver’s return but is snubbed politely by the Blefuscuian Emperor

Gulliver is given permission to leave the island

Chapter EightChapter EightAfter a month’s preparation,

Gulliver departs with food and animals for propagation

He is picked up by an English vessel, his heart swelling with patriotism at the prospect of returning to his homeland

In England, he sees his family and displays his miniature farm animals

Finally he sets off for another most excellent adventure