Part I Chapter I
“The Author giveth some Account of himself and Family; his first Inducements to travel. He is shipwrecked, and swims for his Life; Gets safe on shaor in the Country of Lilliput; is made a Prisoner, and carried up the Country.”
The author describes his family, life as a surgeon, and decision to go out to sea. The creatures of Lilliput are 6 inches so they were afraid of Gulliver’s massive size, but they are nevertheless intelligent, tying him down and upon provocation, shooting him with poisonous arrows. The Lilliputians, realizing his submission to them, feeds him food and drink. Later, the Lilliputians decide to carry him to the Capital City he lives in the Temple chained down.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
1.4
Part I (1), Chapter IV (4): Mildendo the metropolis of Lilliput described, together with the Emporor's palace. A conversation between the Author and a principal Secretary, concerning the affairs of that empire.The Author's [offer] to serve the Emperor in his wars. -Page 55
The people of Lilliput are forced to hide indoors as the Author explores the city while walking on stools (to not crush buildings). The different political parties, distinguished by low or high heels, are explained. The second strongest nation, living on the Island of Belfuscu, threatens to attack Lilliput because of a quarrel started over what part of an egg one should break.
"That all true believers shall break their eggs at the convenient end" -Page 60. This is a "chunk of verbiage" that shows how the people of Lilliput find signifigance in seemingly unimportant matters. That such a trivial concept causes civil wars and thousands to die makes on look upon our own society and question what is really important.
Worrying too much about the smalls things can lead to the big things destroying you (the opposite of the saying "what out for giants and you'll be eaten by ants"). The different parties are really filled with the same constituents.
Part One: Chapter 7, by
“The Author informed of a Design to accuse him of High Treason, makes his Escape to Blefuscu. His Reception there."
Gullivers time spent among the Lilliputians did little for his knowledge of their criminal law, which led him to commit many offenses unwittingly. Among these include:
• Peeing on the Queens apartment, in the palace.
• Refusing to seize remaining Blefuscian navy, execute traitors and subject Blefuscians to slavery.
• Treating Blefuscian ambassadors with kindness
• Wishing to visit the Blefuscian empire
He fled to Blefuscu, where he was received warmly.
“Article I – Whereas, by a statute made in the rain, of his imperial majesty, Calin Deffar Plune, is enacted that whoever shall make water within the precincts of the royal palace, shall be liable to the pains and penalties of high treason: notwithstanding, the said Quinibus Flestrin, in open breach of the said law under the color of extinguishing the fire kindled in the apartment of his majesty’s most dear imperial consort, did maliciously, treacherously, and devilishly, by discharge of his urine, put out the said fire, kindled in the said apartment, lying and being within the precincts of said royal palace; against the statute in that case provided, &c, against the duty, &c.”
This article of treason is significant in many ways. It represents Swiftes view of the irrationality and frivolity of the British Government. For example, the prohibition of peeing in the palace is a truly silly law. This chapter is also significant because it summarizes a premise that’s strong in Swifte’s political beliefs, “No good deed goes unpunished”. Despite Gullivers obvious good intentions, he is convicted of treason for disrespect of the queen, despite potentially saving the kingdom from a fiery end.
Gullivers time spent among the Lilliputians did little for his knowledge of their criminal law, which led him to commit many offenses unwittingly. Among these include:
• Peeing on the Queens apartment, in the palace.
• Refusing to seize remaining Blefuscian navy, execute traitors and subject Blefuscians to slavery.
• Treating Blefuscian ambassadors with kindness
• Wishing to visit the Blefuscian empire
He fled to Blefuscu, where he was received warmly.
“Article I – Whereas, by a statute made in the rain, of his imperial majesty, Calin Deffar Plune, is enacted that whoever shall make water within the precincts of the royal palace, shall be liable to the pains and penalties of high treason: notwithstanding, the said Quinibus Flestrin, in open breach of the said law under the color of extinguishing the fire kindled in the apartment of his majesty’s most dear imperial consort, did maliciously, treacherously, and devilishly, by discharge of his urine, put out the said fire, kindled in the said apartment, lying and being within the precincts of said royal palace; against the statute in that case provided, &c, against the duty, &c.”
This article of treason is significant in many ways. It represents Swiftes view of the irrationality and frivolity of the British Government. For example, the prohibition of peeing in the palace is a truly silly law. This chapter is also significant because it summarizes a premise that’s strong in Swifte’s political beliefs, “No good deed goes unpunished”. Despite Gullivers obvious good intentions, he is convicted of treason for disrespect of the queen, despite potentially saving the kingdom from a fiery end.
Chapter 1.8 by Alex, Marty and Voy
“The Author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; and, after some difficulties, returns safe to his native country.”
A representative of Lilliput comes and demands that Gulliver be returned to that island bound as a prisoner. He refuses. Gulliver purchases several small animals, which he brings with him back to England. He earns a small fortune by showing off, and by eventually selling, the animals. Gulliver becomes bored back in England and decides to go on another voyage.
“This envoy had instructions to represent to the monarch of Blefuscu, ‘the great lenity of his master, who was content to punish me no farther than with the loss of mine eyes; that I had fled from justice; and if I did not return in two hours, I should be deprived of my title of NARDAC, and declared a traitor.’ The envoy further added, ‘that in order to maintain the peace and amity between both empires, his master expected that his brother of Blefuscu would give orders to have me sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be punished as a traitor.’”
This passage is the final display of the sheer ridiculousness of Lilliputian politics. The absurdity of the fact that the Lilliputians would expect Gulliver to accept their punishment and deprive himself of freedom is an allusion to British politics, making the point that the king could not expect people to succumb to his will without a just rule of law.
Freedom is an important theme in the chapter. Gulliver regains his freedom in this chapter by escaping the unfair and unjust policies of the Lilliput-Blefuscu universe. Gulliver is willing to risk the danger of the high seas in a small vessel for his freedom, although his life hangs in the balance. Gulliver has no reason to forfeit his freedom for the allegiance of Lilliput, so he leaves the negative situation.
A representative of Lilliput comes and demands that Gulliver be returned to that island bound as a prisoner. He refuses. Gulliver purchases several small animals, which he brings with him back to England. He earns a small fortune by showing off, and by eventually selling, the animals. Gulliver becomes bored back in England and decides to go on another voyage.
“This envoy had instructions to represent to the monarch of Blefuscu, ‘the great lenity of his master, who was content to punish me no farther than with the loss of mine eyes; that I had fled from justice; and if I did not return in two hours, I should be deprived of my title of NARDAC, and declared a traitor.’ The envoy further added, ‘that in order to maintain the peace and amity between both empires, his master expected that his brother of Blefuscu would give orders to have me sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be punished as a traitor.’”
This passage is the final display of the sheer ridiculousness of Lilliputian politics. The absurdity of the fact that the Lilliputians would expect Gulliver to accept their punishment and deprive himself of freedom is an allusion to British politics, making the point that the king could not expect people to succumb to his will without a just rule of law.
Freedom is an important theme in the chapter. Gulliver regains his freedom in this chapter by escaping the unfair and unjust policies of the Lilliput-Blefuscu universe. Gulliver is willing to risk the danger of the high seas in a small vessel for his freedom, although his life hangs in the balance. Gulliver has no reason to forfeit his freedom for the allegiance of Lilliput, so he leaves the negative situation.
Part Two: Chapter 1, by Mel & Andrew
Gullivers Travels
Part 2, Ch.1
“A great storm described. The long boat sent to fetch water, the author goes with it to discover the country. He is left on Shoar, is seized by one of the natives, and carried to a farmers house. His reception there, with several accidents that happened there. A description of the inhabitants.”
- He gets stuck in a field of barley, and hides from the giant.
- He yells out before the giant begins to harvest the crop surrounding him
- In front of the master of the farm, Gulliver takes off his hat and bows, shows them a purse full of gold, and uses a knife of fork to eat, delighting the giants
- At dinner, the baby giant picks up Gulliver, but the farmer saves him from his son, preventing him from becoming a play toy
- Gulliver sleeps in the wife of the farmer’s bed. Upon awakening, he has to defend himself, he has to defend himself from a pair of giant rats with his sword.
“Scared and confounded as I was, I could not forbear going on with these Reflections; when one of the Reapers approaching within ten Yards of the Ridge where I lay, made me apprehend that with the next Step I should be squashed to Death under his Foot, or cut into two with his Reaping Hook. And therefore when he was again about to move, I screamed as loud as Fear could make me. Whereupon the huge Creature trod short, and looking round about under him for some time, at last espied me as I lay on the Ground."
The significance that this quote carries is contrast shown between the way that Gulliver is perceived in Liliput and Brobdingnag. In Liliput he was a giant and worried about trampling over the Liliputions, and in Brobdingnag, he fears being trampled himself. Instead of being powerful and significant, he is instead miniscule and inferior.
Themes-
In different situations and contexts, we carry different amounts of significance. While we may be known and respected in one case, we can become inferior and weak in another. That is why we should never takes situations for granted, as they can change at the drop of a hat, as seen by Gulliver in the book.
Part 2, Ch.1
“A great storm described. The long boat sent to fetch water, the author goes with it to discover the country. He is left on Shoar, is seized by one of the natives, and carried to a farmers house. His reception there, with several accidents that happened there. A description of the inhabitants.”
- He gets stuck in a field of barley, and hides from the giant.
- He yells out before the giant begins to harvest the crop surrounding him
- In front of the master of the farm, Gulliver takes off his hat and bows, shows them a purse full of gold, and uses a knife of fork to eat, delighting the giants
- At dinner, the baby giant picks up Gulliver, but the farmer saves him from his son, preventing him from becoming a play toy
- Gulliver sleeps in the wife of the farmer’s bed. Upon awakening, he has to defend himself, he has to defend himself from a pair of giant rats with his sword.
“Scared and confounded as I was, I could not forbear going on with these Reflections; when one of the Reapers approaching within ten Yards of the Ridge where I lay, made me apprehend that with the next Step I should be squashed to Death under his Foot, or cut into two with his Reaping Hook. And therefore when he was again about to move, I screamed as loud as Fear could make me. Whereupon the huge Creature trod short, and looking round about under him for some time, at last espied me as I lay on the Ground."
The significance that this quote carries is contrast shown between the way that Gulliver is perceived in Liliput and Brobdingnag. In Liliput he was a giant and worried about trampling over the Liliputions, and in Brobdingnag, he fears being trampled himself. Instead of being powerful and significant, he is instead miniscule and inferior.
Themes-
In different situations and contexts, we carry different amounts of significance. While we may be known and respected in one case, we can become inferior and weak in another. That is why we should never takes situations for granted, as they can change at the drop of a hat, as seen by Gulliver in the book.
Part Two: Chapter 2, by Laura, Catherine, & Kira
1. “A Description of the Farmer’s Daughter. The Author, carried to a Market-Town, and then to the Metropolis. The Particulars of his Journey.”
2. The farmer’s 9-year-old daughter adopts Gulliver as her pet and teaches him the language, sews him clothes, and provides him with a bed. She calls him Grildrig, and he calls us Glumdalclitch (Little Nurse). Word gets around about Gulliver, and so he is brought to the market to amuse the town. He travels to various cities where his master makes him perform in front of crowds. The daughter thinks that her parents are going to let her keep Grildrig for a while, but that then they are going to see him like all her other pets.
3. “As to the ignominy of being carried about for a monster, I considered myself to be a perfect stranger in the country; and that such a misfortune could never be charged upon me as a reproach if ever I should return to England; since the king of Great Britain himself, in my condition, must have undergone the same distress” (64).
Gulliver feels humiliated by being carried around to perform diversions for the natives and by being treated like an animeal. At the same time, however, Gulliver reasons that even the King of England--the person with the highest social standing possible--would be just as powerless if placed in Gulliver's situation. Furthermore, Gulliver is comforted by the knowledge that if he returns to England, no one will know about this humiliation. He longs for the day when he can put his experiences in Brobdingnag behind him, revealing his growing desire to go home.
4. Gulliver's desire to return to England and his overall sentimentality mark a stark change in Gulliver in this new voyage. During his time in Brobdingnag and in this chapter in particular, Gulliver is humbled. The natives listen to him talk about England but disregard his supposed world because they can not imagine how any world of little people could have any importance. Gulliver repeatedly relates his experiences to those in Littleput, where the situation was reversed. He realizes that everything is relative, making him long even more for home, where he is appreciated and recognized as important.
2. The farmer’s 9-year-old daughter adopts Gulliver as her pet and teaches him the language, sews him clothes, and provides him with a bed. She calls him Grildrig, and he calls us Glumdalclitch (Little Nurse). Word gets around about Gulliver, and so he is brought to the market to amuse the town. He travels to various cities where his master makes him perform in front of crowds. The daughter thinks that her parents are going to let her keep Grildrig for a while, but that then they are going to see him like all her other pets.
3. “As to the ignominy of being carried about for a monster, I considered myself to be a perfect stranger in the country; and that such a misfortune could never be charged upon me as a reproach if ever I should return to England; since the king of Great Britain himself, in my condition, must have undergone the same distress” (64).
Gulliver feels humiliated by being carried around to perform diversions for the natives and by being treated like an animeal. At the same time, however, Gulliver reasons that even the King of England--the person with the highest social standing possible--would be just as powerless if placed in Gulliver's situation. Furthermore, Gulliver is comforted by the knowledge that if he returns to England, no one will know about this humiliation. He longs for the day when he can put his experiences in Brobdingnag behind him, revealing his growing desire to go home.
4. Gulliver's desire to return to England and his overall sentimentality mark a stark change in Gulliver in this new voyage. During his time in Brobdingnag and in this chapter in particular, Gulliver is humbled. The natives listen to him talk about England but disregard his supposed world because they can not imagine how any world of little people could have any importance. Gulliver repeatedly relates his experiences to those in Littleput, where the situation was reversed. He realizes that everything is relative, making him long even more for home, where he is appreciated and recognized as important.
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