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