Gulliver’s Travels

Richard Sympson introduces Gulliver and explains how he prepared the account of his travels for publication.

Gulliver complains to his cousin about changes to his book and its disappointing effect on readers.

Gulliver describes his early life and a shipwreck that leaves him a prisoner of people only six inches tall.

The Emperor visits Gulliver, arranges his care and orders officials to search his pockets for dangerous objects.

Gulliver watches unusual court entertainments, amuses the Emperor and agrees to strict conditions for his freedom.

Gulliver explores the capital and learns about political divisions and a war caused by a dispute over breaking eggs.

Gulliver captures an enemy fleet, resists the Emperor’s ambitions and saves the palace by an unusual method.

Gulliver describes Lilliputian customs and daily life while the Treasurer’s jealousy threatens his position.

A secret visitor warns Gulliver of cruel plans against him, forcing him to consider how to escape.

A boat offers Gulliver a possible route home, but Lilliput’s Emperor still wants him returned for punishment.

Gulliver’s next voyage leaves him in a land of giants, where a farmer takes him home.

Glumdalclitch cares for Gulliver and teaches him the language while her father displays him for money.

The Queen brings Gulliver to court, where royal curiosity and the court dwarf’s hostility shape his new life.

Gulliver describes Brobdingnag’s geography, enormous buildings and the sights he sees while travelling with his nurse.

Animals, weather and accidents repeatedly endanger Gulliver, while his attempts to defend his dignity amuse the court.

Gulliver entertains the royal family and explains English government, prompting difficult questions from the King.

The King rejects Gulliver’s offer of gunpowder, and Gulliver describes the country’s laws, learning and army.

During a visit to the coast, an eagle carries away Gulliver’s travelling box and drops it into the sea.

Pirates set Gulliver adrift, and his search for safety brings him beneath an extraordinary flying island.

Gulliver meets Laputa’s distracted inhabitants and discovers their devotion to mathematics and music and their constant worry about the sky.

Gulliver learns how Laputa moves and how its King uses the flying island to control the country below.

Gulliver leaves Laputa and meets Lord Munodi, who explains why ambitious new projects have ruined much of Balnibarbi.

At the Academy, Gulliver sees strange experiments involving food, buildings, language and methods of learning.

Gulliver hears extraordinary proposals for improving government, raising taxes and discovering secret plots.

While waiting for a ship, Gulliver visits an island whose governor can summon the dead to answer questions.

Conversations with famous people from the past challenge Gulliver’s beliefs about history, noble families and public honour.

Gulliver reaches Luggnagg, faces a dangerous court ceremony and gains the King’s favour.

Gulliver’s excitement about people who never die changes as he learns what their endless lives are really like.

A royal letter helps Gulliver travel through Japan, where he must carefully protect the secret of his identity.

A mutiny leaves Gulliver on an unknown shore, where threatening creatures and strangely intelligent horses await him.

A horse welcomes Gulliver into his household, where Gulliver discovers a disturbing resemblance between himself and the Yahoos.

Gulliver learns the Houyhnhnm language, reveals the secret of his clothes and explains that humans rule in his country.

Gulliver explains lying, the treatment of horses and his own background to a master puzzled by human behaviour.

Gulliver describes European wars and legal practices, deepening his master’s doubts about human reason.

Gulliver explains money, medicine, political ministers and noble families, leaving his master increasingly horrified.

Gulliver’s master compares human greed, conflict and political behaviour with the habits of the Yahoos.

Gulliver studies the Yahoos more closely and describes the Houyhnhnms’ marriages, education and national council.

The Houyhnhnms debate the future of the Yahoos, and Gulliver describes their traditions, skills and attitude to death.

A decision by the Houyhnhnm council threatens Gulliver’s peaceful life and forces him to prepare for departure.

Gulliver sails away, faces danger on an unfamiliar coast and meets a Portuguese captain who offers help.

Gulliver considers the purpose of his travels and compares human society with the nations he has visited.