Gullivers Travels By Jonathan Swift Lilliput Chapter One

Gulliver’s Travels By Jonathan Swift “Lilliput”

Chapter One ü Tells of Gulliver’s childhood and young adulthood ü Takes a voyage on the Antelope, is shipwrecked ü Wakes up on the Island Lilliput ü Is a captive of the Lilliputians, people who are six inches tall ü Is taken to the capital city and housed in a temple

Chapter Two üThe Emperor visits Gulliver and makes decisions for the captive’s future üGulliver is shot at by Lilliputians üHe shows his clemency by scaring his attackers but letting them go unscathed, impressing the Emperor üIntellectuals of the island are appointed to teach Gulliver the local language üThe contents of Gulliver’s pockets are examined and recorded üThe examiners confiscate some of his possessions including his weapons

Chapter Two üThe political allegory of England between 1708 -1715 begins: üThe 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 üThe leaders were accused of favoring France in the Treaty of Utrecht which ended the War of Spanish Succession üAlso, take note of how absolutely trivial things, like emptying pockets, become “literally” an act of parliament with the Liliputians.

üThe Emperor rewards Gulliver for his good behavior üPolitical candidates perform on ropes to gain favor with the ruler üSwift likens this rope-dancing performance to England’s Orders of the Garter, Bath and Thistle Chapter Three üAlthough 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” üThe court agrees to set him free with a list terms and conditions

Chapter Four ü Gulliver visits the city of Mildendo which represents London ü Reldresal, the Principal Secretary, explains the politics of Lilliput ü The opposing parties are the Tramechsans and Slamecksans who represent England’s Tories and Whigs ü They are warring over which end to break eggs which satirizes the conflict of Catholics and Protestants ü The Lilliputians are involved in a war with Blefuscu representing France in the War of Spanish Succession ü Gulliver pledges his allegance to the Emperor in fighting the Blefuscuians

ü ü ü ü ü 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 Five

Chapter Six üThe author describes Lilliputian culture üThis society values morals over ability when appointing public servants üGulliver notes that the Lilliputians differ from the English in that they use rewards as well as punishment to keep society in order üA description of the Lilliputian education system is given üThe government is described as somewhat Socialist

Chapter Six üGulliver describes his treatment: food and clothing üThe author is accused of misconduct with a respectable lady üThis incident relates to the infidelity of Catherine Shorter, wife of Sir Robert Walpole a Whig leader üWalpole is represented by Filmnap the Treasurer

Chapter Seven üGulliver learns that the government has turned against him üHe is accused of high treason üThe emperor is persuaded that Gulliver should be blinded instead of killed üThis reflects the impeachment of Bolingbroke and Oxford where it was suggested they only be accused of misdemeanors rather than treason üGulliver flees to Blefuscu where he is welcomed üLike Gulliver, Bolingbroke feared he wouldn’t receive a fair trial and escaped to France

Chapter Eight üThe author discovers a damaged boat off the coast of Blefuscu üThe locals assist him in acquiring and refurbishing the boat üThe Emperor of Lilliput calls for Gulliver’s return but is snubbed politely by the Blefuscuian Emperor üGulliver is given permission to leave the island

Chapter Eight üAfter a month’s preparation, Gulliver departs with food animals for propagation üHe is picked up by an English vessel, his heart swelling with patriotism at the prospect of returning to his homeland üIn England, he sees his family and displays his miniature farm animals üFinally he sets off for another most excellent adventure