Gulliver’s Travels PART I

Chapters 1-4

Gulliver introduces the readers to his modest beginnings. His family, we are told, did not have enough money to keep him in school. He travels to London and becomes an apprentice to James Bates, a surgeon. Here he is introduced to mathematics, geography, and surgical techniques. After Bates’ death, he takes up a job as a doctor in the city, but is emotionally distant in his domestic relationship with Mary Gulliver, his wife. Later, as a ship’s surgeon, his ship meets with a massive accident at sea, and he is the only survivor. He swims away from the wreckage and reaches a nearby beach.

He awakens only to find himself tied up in the land of Lilliput, where he encounters people who are merely six inches tall. The people also happen to speak an unfamiliar language. The Lilliputians are dumbfounded by his size, and he is presented in front of the Emperor. In time, Gulliver pleads with the emperor for his freedom. Once Gulliver learns their language he gets the chance to gently scare the men who had shot arrows at him initially. Gulliver then delights the kingdom with tricks that work mainly on account the difference in size between him and the Lilliputians. He signs an agreement for his liberty, which requires him to be an ally to Lilliputians. Gulliver learns about the infrastructure of Lilliput and the political disagreements between Lilliput and Blefuscudians (over the question of how eggs must be broken).

Analysis

The preface connects Gulliver’s Travels to other contemporary works of travel diaries and accounts. The letters by Gulliver and Sympson shed light on the question of “perspective.” In particular, the letters draw readers’ attention to the yet larger question of “truth” and to the nuances of editing literary works. In our introduction to Gulliver’s past, we learn that he is a morally upright man who chooses a modest profession unlike his peers (who prefer to cheat and con people). His high moral standards prevent him from acting on the urge to violently retaliate against the diminutive people of Lilliput. Their differing physical sizes also shed light on the ways in which perspectives shape meaning-making systems. This can also be seen in the Lilliputians’ description of Gulliver’s belongings. The treaty between Gulliver and the state of Lilliput is a recognition of his moral decision to refrain from using his obvious physical superiority for gaining liberty. The absurdity of the political differences between the various factions in Lilliput is a comment on the absurdity of warfare.