GULLIVERS TRAVELS PART ONE The Voyage to Lilliput

GULLIVER’S TRAVELS PART ONE The Voyage to Lilliput

QUESTION #1 w. What do you think is Gulliver's probable frame of mind in the opening passage?

ANSWER • • Confusion Surprise Fear Curiosity

QUESTION #2 w. What does the Lilliputian language add to the narrator’s report? w(hint: ‘Modest Proposal’ statistics)

ANSWER • Authenticity • Humor • A parody of Language • ENGLISH IN THIS CASE

QUESTION #3 w. In the comparison of random arrows to bombs (p 489), how does this passage hold significance in this story?

ANSWER • Makes light of the wars in Europe • Compares bombs to arrows that feel like tiny pinpricks • Draws parallel between make-believe society and his own • Indicates an amusing story with serious undertones

QUESTION #4 w(End of 489) What details lead Gulliver to his conclusion of whom the ‘principle person’ is?

ANSWER • • • Speaks from a stage Gives a long speech Lilliputians respond to his directions Taller than his attendants One attendant carries his train

QUESTION #5 w(490) Define ORATOR: w. How does a person act ‘every part of an orator’?

ANSWER • Person who speaks in public • Broad gestures • Loud voice • Announcing tone

QUESTION #6 w. Do you find Gulliver’s ability to communicate through sign language and gestures very convincing? Why/ Why not?

ANSWER • Communicating HUNGER- • Convincing because Gulliver receives what he needs • SHARED GESTURES- “more” • throwing an object down • If not convincing-- swearing sincerity

QUESTION #7 w. By the end of p 491, what is Gulliver’s internal conflict?

ANSWER • Possibly mixed emotions of: • ANGER- imagines throwing them • FEAR • RESPECT of LAWS of HOSPITALITY • Self-Preservation vs. Trust and Gratitude

QUESTION #8 w What humorous details enliven the description of the Lilliputians(top 492) ? w What effect has humor played to enrich the descriptions of the relationship being established between Gulliver and the Lilliputians?

ANSWERS • Dancing on Gulliver’s hand • Playing ‘Hide and Seek’ in his hair • Playing children’s games • Shows Gulliver as PLAYFUL, not a dangerous giant; TRUST built between them through the trivial activities.

QUESTION #9 w Define SATIRE: w. What might Swift be satirizing in the ‘ropedancing’ ritual? (hint: Politics)

ANSWERS • Work where RIDICULE is stressing the WORST parts of a serious subject. • • Courtly Behavior English Court Irrelevance of test to position Ridiculousness of office politics and favoritism

QUESTION #10 w (bottom of 2 nd column. p 492) w. What seems to be Swift’s satirical point in describing the ‘diversion’ with the red, blue and green threads?

ANSWER • Seems to be poking fun at the courtiers ‘agility’ in sidestepping responsibility.

QUESTION #11 w. How does Swift diminish the philosophical division between the two factions in England? (493)

ANSWERS • Parody of the two (2) factions: • Uses two nearly identical but nonsensical names (Tramecksan / Slamecksan) • Indicates that their violent differences are based on something as insignificant as the height of the heels of shoes.

QUESTION #12 w (middle 2 nd column, 493) w. Why does the ‘heir’ walk with a hobble?

ANSWER • LITERALLY- he is wearing shoes of two different heights • FIGURATIVELY- he cannot make up his mind, so he is ‘hobbled’ by his indecision

QUESTION #13 w (2/3 down 2 nd Col. , 493) w Why does Swift satirize the lines beginning with: “For as to what we have heard you affirm…” and ending with , “…or one of the stars. ”

ANSWER • NARROWMINDEDNESS • When events or people do not fit into preconceived notions of the way the world works

QUESTION #14 w. Is there humor in the description of the eggbreaking conflict?

ANSWER • Yes • Funny to get upset over the way an egg is broken • NO- ? ? ? (like, I don’t get it…)

QUESTION #15 w. How is Gulliver’s decision, made at the end of this voyage, satirical?

ANSWER • Although he first stated that he WOULDN”T INTERFERE Gulliver quickly rationalizes to do the EXPEDIENT thing-FIGHT FOR LILLIPUT

Tories and Whigs • Represented by the two parties in this story:

Tory • A person who opposed the breach with Britain during the Revolutionary War (1775 -83) • Conservative Party • Opposed Whig attempts to excluse the future James II from succession to the throne.

Whig • Organizer of “Glorious Revolution” • Non-Catholics