W5 - 2122 - Gulliver's Travels

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Learning Goal:

o I know the storyline and main themes of Gulliver’s Travels and I can make the connection to the time it was written.

1. On page 22 it says that Gulliver’s Travels is a political allegory. As we know, an allegory is a metaphor continued throughout an entire poem, play or book.
Explain the metaphor of the first part of the book. (The Lilliput part)

2. Gulliver wishes to see Lilliput’s capital, Mildendo.
Describe how Gulliver moves about the Palace without damaging it.

3. • Are the Low Heels or High Heels in power?
• The Heir to the Throne (the Prince) is seen to walk about on shoes with heels of different height. What do you think this says about him?
• The war with Blefuscu has to do with the struggle between Big Endians and Little Endians.
Explain the metaphor, including the war.
• Who are the Whigs and Tories and how are they connected to the story?

4. It is described how Gulliver finds himself on Brobdingnag. The people there are giants. What does their size imply about their character?

5. Why is the big/small theme so big in the first two parts of Gulliver's Travels?
(Tip: think of the science of the day)

6. Both Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver's Travels have to do with sea voyages and shipwrecks. Why? What do the shipwrecks mean?

8. Satire is an important element of Enlightenment literature. It is very obvious in Gulliver's Travels.
What OTHER characteristics of the Enlightenment do you recognise?

Science, focus on reason, admiration of science, 

https://britlitsurvey2.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/attack-on-the-enlightenment-swifts-satirical-analysis-of-enlightenment-thinkers-in-gullivers-travels/ 

Rather than conforming to the common view that the enlightenment was going to send man into an era of progress, Swift attacked this mode of thinking through the ridiculousness and exaggeration of human characteristics and the events that followed as a result.

9. Give three examples of satire in Gulliver’s Travels

10. How are Lilliputian government officials chosen? What does this satirise?

11. Gulliver saved the Empress’ life. Why was she not thankful? Explain.

12. What is revealed about English society by the Brobdingnag?

13. How does Gulliver’s Travels fit into the 18th century? Explain in 50 words (use the 18th century characteristics).

14. Which of the countries visited by Gulliver would you most like to see yourself? Explain why in 50 words.