From Gulliver S Travels Reading Guide

From Gulliver’s Travels Reading Guide

From Part 1: “A Voyage to Lilliput”

As you read the first two paragraphs in Chapter 1, you can see that Swift is parodying travel literature in this satire. What details in this first part make the literature seem as if it really is a travel diary?
The third paragraph provides one of the most famous (and most often parodied, think Shrek) in all literature. What details have made this particular scene so memorable?
Gulliver says that someone who “seemed to be a person of quality” made a long speech. How is it possible to determine someone’s quality if you can’t understand their language? What comment could Swift be making about social class with this example?
How does someone act “every part of an orator”?
How is Gulliver able to communicate with his captors?
Why do you think Gulliver feels that he is now “bound by the laws of hospitality”? What does this show us about Gulliver’s personality?
What is humorous about the leader presenting Gulliver with his “credentials under the signet royal”? What
In Chapter 3, What humorous details enliven this description of the Lilliputians? What is the effect of this humor?
What might Swift be satirizing with the rope dancing ritual?
What are some ways that and English man may “fall” when serving the Royal Court? Why do you think Swift chose the word “fall”?
What seems to be the point in describing the “diversion” with the blue, red and green threads?
Gulliver learns about two mighty evils endangering Lilliput. What could have been two evils that were endangering England during Swift’s time?
How does Swift diminish the philosophical division between the two factions in England in this part of the story?
Who might Swift be satirizing with the example of the Tramecksan and Slamecksan?
Why does the heir to the throne “hobble”? What is Swift satirizing with this character ?
Describe the ridiculousness of the egg-breaking conflict. What diction does Swift use to indicate that he is satirizing the church?
What is Swift satirizing when he says that both groups point to the text “That all true believers shall break their eggs at the convenient end.” ?

From Gulliver’s Travels Reading Guide

From Part 1: “A Voyage to Brobdingnag”

Notice that again, to lend his parody authenticity, Swift returns to the detailed travel diary.
When Gulliver first meets the inhabitants of Brobdingnag, he not only describes their appearance but intensity of their voices. How does this detail lend credibility to the story?
What observation does Gulliver make about the first inhabitants that relates to social class?
As Gulliver hides from the inhabitants, he reveals his fears. Describe Gulliver’s opnion of himself after his encounter with the Lilliputians.
What aspects of English society could Swift be commenting on when Gulliver remarks “Undoubtedly philosophers are in the right, when they tell us that nothing is great or little otherwise than by comparison”?
Consider the image that Swift creates of the man picking up Gulliver. What recollections from every-day life does it conjure for you?
Why does the King of Brobdingnag take an interest in Gulliver?
How does the king belittle England?
What is ironic about Gulliver’s reference to his “noble country”?
What is humorous about the Queen’s dwarf bullying Gulliver? What might Swift be showing us about society?
Why does the Queen call Gulliver a “coward”? Is he? What is Swift showing us about size?
What clues indicate that the king is actually lambasting English society and not praising it?
Do you think the king’s criticism of England could apply to other societies?
What evidence can you find in the text to indicate that Gulliver is learning little or nothing from his experiences in Brobdingnag?
In this section of the text, how can you see that Swift applies recent discoveries in science to his story?
In comparison to the satire in Part I of the Travels, how does the satire in Part 2 increase the urgency of Swift’s case for reformation of English society?