Gulliver's Travels Summary

"A Voyage to Lilliput," Chapters I-II

Chapter 1

Each chapter is advertised. In this chapter, "The Author gives some Account of himself and
Family, his first Inducements to travel. He is shipwrecked, and swims for his Life, gets safe on
shoar in the Country of Lilliput, is made a Prisoner, and carryed up the Country."

The narrative begins with the narrator, Lemuel Gulliver, describing his childhood and the events
that led him to become a seaman. He tells the reader that he is the third of five sons and that he
was sent to a Puritan college at the age of fourteen. Afterwards he became an apprentice to a
surgeon in London, during which time he also learned about navigation and mathematics in
preparation for a future on the sea, "as I always believed it would be some time or other my
fortune to do." Next he studied "Physick" (medicine) because he thought it would be "useful in
long Voyages."

Afterwards Gulliver married Mrs. Mary Burton and began his life as a surgeon, taking on several
patients. When his business begins to fail, he takes a six-year trip to the sea, where he serves
as the surgeon to two ships and travels the East and West Indies. He spends much of his time
on these voyages observing the people and learning their languages.

The real problems begin in 1699. Gulliver sets sail on a voyage that starts out prosperously but
quickly takes a turn for the worse. The ship encounters violent storms, has bad food, and
weakens the crew (twelve crew members die) when the ship hits a rock and is split. Six of the
crew members, including Gulliver, get into a small boat and row until they are overturned by a
"sudden Flurry." Gulliver swims until he is nearly exhausted, at which point he finds an island,
comes across a patch of grass, and sleeps for what he estimates is more than nine hours.

When Gulliver awakens, he is lying on his back. He finds himself unable to sit up or move at all.
His "Arms and Legs were strongly fastened on each side to the Ground; and [his] Hair, which
was long and thick, tied down in the same manner." He feels something moving along his body
almost up to his chin, at which point he sees that it is "a human Creature not six Inches high,
with a Bow and Arrow in his Hands, and a Quiver at his Back." Gulliver will later learn that these
creatures are called Lilliputians. Startled by this sight, Gulliver roars out and soon manages to
free his left arm. The frightened Lilliputians fire dozens of tiny arrows into his hand, face, and
body until he lies calmly. The Lilliputians then build a stage to Gulliver's side that is about a foot
and a half tall, upon which a "Person of Quality" stands and makes a ten-minute speech to
Gulliver in a language he cannot understand.

Gulliver signals that he wants food and drink, so the people bring baskets of meat and several
loaves of bread, which he eats three at a time because they are so tiny to him. The Lilliputians
also bring two barrels of drink, which he enjoys even though they are smaller than a half a pint
together.

Gulliver admits that as he lies on the ground he often thinks of taking up fifty of the small
creatures in his hand and crushing them-but he does not want to be pricked with arrows again,
and he has given his "Promise of Honour" to behave in exchange for good treatment.

After he has eaten, Gulliver signals to the people to move out of the way. He relieves himself by
"making Water." He promptly falls asleep because his drink had a sleeping medicine in it. Once
they are sure he is asleep, the Lilliputians, who are excellent mathematicians, transport Gulliver
to the Capital. They use a large platform with twenty-two wheels pulled by dozens of
four-and-a-half-inch horses, dragging Gulliver half of a mile. After he awakens, Gulliver finds
that he is chained by his leg in the capital, but he is able to move in a circle of about two yards
in diameter. More than one hundred thousand Lilliputians come out to see Gulliver.

Chapter II

"The Emperor of Lilliput, attended by several of the Nobility, comes to see the Author, in his
Confinement. The Emperor's Person and Habit described. Learned Men appointed to teach the
Author their Language. He gains Favour by his mild Disposition. His pockets are searched, and
his Sword and Pistols taken from him."

Gulliver has been allowed to move about at the end of his chain and to retire into his small
house. He gives a detailed description of his need to relieve himself after two days without
defecating-and how he finally does so, first in his house because of embarrassment and on
every following day early in the morning so that it can be carried away by two workers before
the general population is awake.

The emperor comes to visit Gulliver. The two attempt to converse even though they cannot yet
understand each other's language. Gulliver tries to speak to the emperor and his men in every
language he knows, but to no avail.

Gulliver is given a strong guard to protect him against those citizens who enjoy pestering him.
When a group of six citizens is caught shooting arrows at Gulliver, one of which narrowly misses
his left eye, they are given to Gulliver to punish as he sees fit. Gulliver puts five of the men in his
pocket and dangles the sixth above his mouth as if he is going to eat him, but he then lets all of
the men go, gaining favor with those who are watching.

During this time the emperor holds many conferences with his wisest men, trying to decide what
to do with Gulliver. They are worried that he could escape or that he could cause a famine
because of how much food it takes to keep him satisfied. It is eventually decided that two
officers should be appointed to search Gulliver with his assistance. Afterwards, Gulliver is asked
to demonstrate the purpose of each of the items found on his person. When he fires his pistol
into the air, several of the Lilliputians fall to the ground in fright.

Chapter III

"The Author diverts the Emperor and his Nobility of both Sexes in a very uncommon manner.
The Diversions of the Court of Lilliput described. The Author hath his Liberty granted him upon
certain Conditions."

Because Gulliver has been behaving so well, the emperor, his court, and the general population
are beginning to trust him. Gulliver also has made a great deal of progress in learning the
language and learning about the culture he is now such a large part of.

The emperor decides to entertain Gulliver by showing him a tradition of the court in which
candidates for an open position of honor compete by walking to the middle of a string or
tight-rope that is suspended two-and-a-half feet above the ground. They jump as high as they
are able. "Whoever jumps the highest without falling succeeds in the Office." Gulliver tells the
reader that very often these competitors are injured or fall to their death.

Gulliver's hat is found washed upon the shore, and he asks the emperor to command his men to
bring it to him. It is worn from being dragged the half-mile to the kingdom, but it looks tolerably
good. The emperor then asks Gulliver to stand up tall with his legs spread apart so that his
troops can march through them.

Gulliver is finally granted his freedom on the condition that he (1) swear to help the Lilliputians if
they are ever in a war, (2) survey the surrounding land, (3) help with any building that needs to
be done, and (4) deliver messages. He agrees. In return he will be granted the food and drink
sufficient for 1,724 Lilliputians.

Chapter IV

"Mildendo, the Metropolis of Lilliput, described, together with the Emperor's Palace. A
Conversation between the Author and a Principal Secretary, concerning the Affairs of that
Empire: The Author Offers to serve the Emperor in his Wars."

The first thing Gulliver wants to do once he is free is see the metropolis of Lilliput. He finds the
town very impressive. It is "capable of holding five hundred thousand Souls" and has two great
streets that are five feet wide and cross in the middle, quartering the city. At the center is the
emperor's palace. When Gulliver reaches the palace, the empress reaches her hand out the
window for Gulliver to kiss.

Two weeks later Reldresal, the Principal Secretary of private Affairs, comes to see Gulliver and
tells him about the "two mighty Evils" that Lilliput struggles against: "a violent Faction at home,
and the Danger of an Invasion by a most potent Enemy from abroad." He describes two parties
of Lilliput, the Tramecksan and Slamecksan, who are distinguished by the high and low heels of
their shoes. The emperor has decided to permit only low heels in the administration of Lilliput.

Reldresal and the Lilliputians also have to worry about the threat of invasion from those living on
the Island of Blefuscu, "which is the other great Empire of the Universe." The people of Lilliput
and Blefuscu are unable to get along because years ago, after an emperor's son was injured
trying to break his egg on the smaller end (the traditional way of egg breaking), he decreed that
no one may break the smaller end of his egg. This caused a great uproar among many of the
Lilliputians and led to six rebellions and thousands of deaths. Eventually the Big-Endians were
exiled and went to Blefuscu, where they gained favor and convinced the government to go to
war against Lilliput.

Gulliver finishes the conversation by telling Reldresal that, while he does not want to interfere,
he is "ready, with the hazard of [his] Life, to defend his Person and State against all Invaders."
Gulliver's Travels Summary and Analysis of Part I, Chapters V-VIII
Chapter V

"The Author by an extraordinary Stratagem prevents an Invasion. A high Title of Honour is

When the Lilliputians and Blefuscudians go to war, Gulliver proves to be very useful by dragging
the entire Blefuscudian fleet of ships to the shore of Lilliput, where "The Emperor and his whole
Court stood on the Shore expecting the Issue of the great Adventure." When Gulliver arrives, he
cries out, "Long live the most puissant Emperor of Lilliput!" The emperor gives Gulliver the
land's highest honor, "Nardac."

Later the emperor requests that Gulliver go back to the enemy's shores and do his best to
destroy what is left, turning the empire into a province. Gulliver thinks that this action is going
too far and declines the request. Three weeks after Gulliver's victory, an embassy from Blefuscu
arrives offering peace, which the emperor accepts.

A few days later Gulliver is awoken at midnight by hundreds of Lilliputians telling him that there
is a fire in the empress's chamber in the palace. Gulliver hurries to be of assistance, but he
quickly realizes that the thimble-sized buckets he is being passed are not having an affect on
the raging fire. Thinking quickly, Gulliver chooses to urinate on the fire, putting it out completely
and keeping it from spreading to the rest of the palace.

Gulliver returns to his home, where he awaits word of how the emperor and empress will react
to his deed. He shortly learns that the empress feels abhorred.

Chapter VI

"Of the Inhabitants of Lilliput; their Learning, Laws and Customs, the Manner of Educating their
Children. The Author's way of living in that Country. His Vindication of a great Lady."

Gulliver goes into great detail about what he has learned about the Lilliputians, their customs,
and their culture. He tells the reader that everything in Lilliput is proportionate to the Lilliputians'
size and that even their eyesight is adjusted so that they can see things closer than Gulliver
can.

Gulliver also describes many of Lilliput's laws, telling the reader that dishonesty and false
accusations are punished more severely than theft and other terrible things are punished in
England. If someone in Lilliput accuses another but is proven to be wrong in the accusation, the
accused is punished severely while the falsely accused person is rewarded.

Also, Gulliver tells the reader that children are raised by the state rather than their parents.
Different classes learn about different things. The nobility's children, for instance, learn about
honor, justice, courage, modesty, clemency, religion, and love of country.

Gulliver ends the chapter by straightening out a falsehood created by Flimnap, who has "always
been [his] secret enemy." Gulliver declares that Flimnap's accusation that Gulliver carried on
with his wife is completely untrue, which should reestablish the lady's reputation.

Chapter VII

"The Author being informed of a Design to accuse him of High-Treason, makes his escape to
Blefuscu. His Reception there."

A high member of the court arrives to tell Gulliver that he is being charged with treason.
Originally his sentence was to be death, but Reldresal has argued successfully to have the
sentence lessened to the removal of Gulliver's eyes. The charges Gulliver has been accused of
are "making water" in the royal palace, refusing to reduce Blefuscu to a province, aiding the
ambassadors of Blefuscu when they came to ask for peace, and planning to visit Blefuscu.

Not wanting to have his eyes put out, Gulliver flees to Blefuscu, where he is warmly received.

Chapter VIII

"The Author by a lucky Accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu; and, after some Difficulties,
returns safe to his Native Country."

While in Blefuscu, Gulliver spies a ship that is the proper size for him to sail in. He spends about
a month making repairs, during which time the emperor of Lilliput sends a message demanding
that Gulliver be returned so that his sentence can be carried out. The emperor of Blefuscu
sends back a message refusing. Gulliver eventually sets sail and is picked up by a merchant
ship and returned to his home, where he makes a solid profit showing Lilliputian-sized livestock
he has carried home in his pockets.