Travels of Lemuel Gulliver. Travels to some distant countries of the world by Lemuel Gulliver, first a surgeon, and then the captain of several ships Summary of Gulliver's adventure

The life of an ordinary doctor Lemuel Gulliver turns out to be very eventful, and what happens does not depend at all on his desire and will.

Setting off on a ship from some English port, a man unexpectedly finds himself in some amazing states that live according to their own rules and laws. First, fate throws him into the country of Lilliput, inhabited by extremely short people.

The tiny creatures surrounding Gulliver greet him quite friendly, it is determined how he will live among them without harming the Lilliputians. They even provide him with food, which is very difficult for members of this community, because the diet of the Man-Mountain, as they call the guest, is simply huge compared to their own nutritional standards.

In turn, the doctor helps the little inhabitants of Lilliput, easily going out into the strait and bringing with him on a rope the entire naval fleet of the country of Blefuscu, which is at war with the Lilliputians. This act leads to a very favorable attitude towards him from the local emperor.

Gulliver studies the customs of the state that has sheltered him, although they seem very funny and even ridiculous. He also learns that there are two political parties in the country, although their positions differ only on the issue of the rationality of using high or low heels, to which the Lilliputians attach great importance.

Equally ridiculous is the reason for the ongoing conflict between Lilliput and Blefuscu, representatives of the two miniature nations are unable to reach agreement on which end, sharp or blunt, should be used to break eggs. Gulliver easily draws a parallel between the political system of this country and his native Great Britain, where members of the Tory and Whig parties never cease to remain irreconcilable enemies.

However, not all Lilliputians like the extent to which the emperor brought the alien Man-Mountain closer to himself and elevated him. Little people in the government draw up an indictment against him, where all his services are considered crimes, and therefore representatives of Lilliputian high society demand the merciless execution of Gulliver; gouging out his eyes is proposed as the mildest punishment for him.

The doctor is forced to urgently flee to Blefuscu, but there the whole story repeats itself exactly: at first, the miniature inhabitants of the country are happy about what they believe is a huge man, but then they begin to see him as an enemy and dream only of getting rid of the guest.

The man independently designs a boat and, having sailed from unfriendly shores, meets a ship of English merchants, which takes him to his native land. Tiny sheep also come home with him, multiplying extremely quickly and capable, according to Gulliver, of bringing considerable benefit to the cloth industry of the domestic industry.

But his adventures do not end there. Then fate brings Gulliver to the land of giants, where he already feels like a defenseless Lilliputian. The Doctor understands that here he is threatened with death at every step, and he is forced to adapt to new conditions of existence and giant people, among whom it is very difficult for him to be.

However, after some time, a strange guest in this state finds himself invited to the royal court, and the king of the giants willingly talks with the unusual and strange creature for him, which he sees in Gulliver.

The Englishman tells him about the customs of his country, about its historical past and today's political system, his words sincerely amaze the ruler of the giants, he is unable to imagine that such things are possible in reality.

But for Gulliver himself, his life in this region is humiliating; he is burdened by dependence and a complete lack of freedom. He escapes again and ends up in Britain, although for a long time everything around him seems too small and unnoticeable to the doctor.
However, he was not destined to stay at home for long.

Gulliver's adventures continue on a certain flying island called Laputo; in the capital of the next state he meets on his way, he is shocked by the boundless poverty and ruin that reigns everywhere. True, sometimes he sees certain oases where order and relative prosperity are still preserved; the doctor soon realizes that they are the only evidence of the former decent life in these places.

Gulliver becomes aware that all the troubles on Laputa began with the appearance of people calling themselves “projectors” and striving to change everything. The results of their activities turn out to be very sad, and the traveler even has the opportunity to visit the Academy of Projectors and try to awaken common sense in them, although to no avail.

The next incredible country for the wanderer is the land of the Houyhnhnms or horses, but they have quite pleasant and sweet human traits. Gulliver finally finds himself among those he really likes, but he soon sees that the horses are served by creatures called Yahoos, who look absolutely no different from people. But at the same time, they are completely uncivilized, wild, infinitely rude and ugly creatures, living only by the most primitive animal instincts.

The doctor again talks about his country, this time talking with noble horses, who, listening to him, are heartily perplexed and indignant at how the natural and beautiful laws of nature can be ignored to such an extent. The monastery of the Houyhnhnms can be considered a kind of utopia, and Gulliver dreams of spending the rest of his days here, but in reality his desire turns out to be unrealistic.

The horses convene a general meeting, as is their custom when important decisions need to be made. As a result of lengthy meetings, they come to the conclusion that their guest is too similar to a Yahoo, and it is for this reason that he should be among these monsters, and not among the worthy and decent creatures to which the Houyhnhnms consider themselves.

They are not at all interested in the fact that the resemblance of their visitor to “third-class” creatures is purely external. After being expelled from this community, Gulliver finally returns to his homeland, henceforth spending time in his favorite kindergarten thinking about life, people, virtues and vices.

Swift first published Gulliver's Travels in 1726. The work is a classic of moral and political satirical literature. In the novel, the author exposes and ridicules social and human vices using the example of the states of Lilliputians and giants, the island of Laputa, and the kingdom of Balnibarbi. The concentration of human vices in the work are the ape-like creatures Yahoos.

Main characters

Lemuel Gulliver– the main character, traveler, surgeon; The novel is narrated on his behalf.

King of Lilliput- monarch, wanted to use Gulliver for his own purposes.

Glumdalklich– daughter of a giant farmer, Gulliver’s “nanny”.

Gray horse in dapples- Houyhnhnm, with whom Gulliver lived.

Other characters

Skyresh Bolgolam and Flimnap- Gulliver's ill-wishers in Lilliput.

Reldresel- Secretary of State in Lilliput

Giant Farmer- showed Gulliver at fairs for money.

King of Brobdingnag- a wise ruler who was alien to the morals of the British.

Queen of Brobdingnag– bought Gulliver from the farmer.

Munody- a dignitary in Balnibarbi who ran his household according to the old rules.

Part I. Lilliput

Chapter 1

Gulliver's family lived on a small estate in Nottinghamshire. The boy was the third of five sons. Gulliver received a medical education, after which he worked as a ship surgeon and visited different countries. Returning to England, he married Miss Mary Burton. Soon he made several trips to the East and West Indies.

In May 1669, Gulliver set off on his next voyage on the ship Antelope. The ship was wrecked. Gulliver was the only one who managed to escape and get to land.

When Gulliver woke up, he realized that he was tied with many thin twines. Lilliputians armed with bows and spears ran around. Gulliver showed with signs that he would submit to any of their decisions and asked for a drink. By order of the king, the prisoner was fed. The food was very small, so he swallowed several portions at a time.

Gulliver was taken to the capital on a specially made platform. The prisoner was placed in a huge temple, chained to his left leg with many miniature chains.

Chapter 2

The King of Lilliput ordered that Gulliver be assigned “a staff of six hundred servants.” They sewed a bedding for the prisoner from Lilliputian mattresses, a sheet and a blanket, and made a suit of local style. In Lilliput, Gulliver was called Quinbus Flestrin - “Man of Mountain”.

By order of King Gulliver, they searched him. Among his belongings were a rusty saber, two pistols, gunpowder and a pocket watch. The king was especially interested in the clock. Gulliver managed to hide his glasses and telescope.

Chapter 3

Soon Gulliver began to speak the Lilliputian language quite tolerably. To entertain Man Mountain, the king organized a colorful fair festival. In Lilliput there was an unusual tradition - the most skilled tightrope walkers were appointed to government positions. Gulliver also pulled a handkerchief over hammered sticks, making a parade ground for cavalry battles. During the parade, horse and infantry troops passed between the Man of the Mountain's spread legs, as if through a large arch.

The king freed Gulliver. Only Galbet Skyresh Bolgolam, the admiral of the royal fleet, was against this decision.

Chapter 4

Gulliver communicated a lot with Secretary of State Reldresel. He told Man Mountain that there were two warring parties in the kingdom. “The Tremexens party united supporters of high heels, while the Slemexens declared themselves supporters of low heels.” Wearing high heels is prohibited by the Constitution, since their king is a supporter of low heels.

Lilliput is also at war with its neighbor, the empire of Blefuscu. The reason was that the king's father ordered that eggs be broken only from the sharp end. Dissatisfied citizens formed the "Blockheads" party, started a revolution, were expelled and found refuge in the Blefuscu Empire. After this, the states began to quarrel.

It became known that Blefuscu was equipping a fleet and was about to attack. The king asked Gulliver for help.

Chapter 5

Lilliput occupies part of the continent, Blefuscu was an island. The two countries are separated by a wide strait. Gulliver dragged the enemy ships to the Lilliputian side across the strait using cables. For this he was awarded the most honorable title in the kingdom - nardak.

Soon the king of Lilliput demanded that Gulliver help him completely disarm his enemy, but he refused, which displeased the monarch.

Chapter 6

The chief treasurer Flimnap was jealous of his wife for Gulliver and envied his high title, so he began to weave intrigues against the giant. He informed the king that the maintenance of the Man of the Mountain had cost them “one and a half million sprugs” (the largest gold coin in Lilliput), so he should be sent out of the country.

Chapter 7

A noble courtier came to Gulliver. He said that at the king’s council, at the suggestion of Reldresel, it was decided to gouge out both eyes of the Man of Woe. Gulliver hurried to Blefuscu.

Chapter 8

Gulliver discovered a large boat and decided to leave the Lilliputians. The Emperor of Blefuscu helped him prepare to sail. Gulliver took with him “six live cows, two bulls and the same number of sheep and rams.”

Soon Gulliver noticed an English ship at sea, on which he safely reached England. After staying with his family for no more than three months, Gulliver boarded the merchant ship Adventure.

Part II. Brobdingnag

Chapter 1

When the ship passed the Madagascar Strait, a storm began. They were carried far to the east. Seeing the land, the sailors decided to inspect it and get fresh water. Gulliver moved away from the others. When he returned, he saw that his comrades had abandoned him, sailing away on a boat from a huge giant. The frightened man ran deeper into the island.

Gulliver ran out to a large field where giant workers were cutting barley with sickles. One of them heard Gulliver's screams and took the little man to his farmer. The giant tried to talk to him, but they did not understand each other. During lunch, Gulliver was fed beef and bread. Because of his height, he immediately got into trouble - first the owner’s son lifted him upside down, and then the baby mistook him for a toy and tried to put him in his mouth.

Chapter 2

The farmer's nine-year-old daughter made a bed for Gulliver, sewed clothes for him, and taught him the language of giants. The girl gave Gulliver the name Grildrig, which translated means “little man”, “dwarf”. He called her Glumdalklich, that is, nanny.

Gulliver attracted the interest of other giants, so the farmer began to show him at the fair for money. The farmer took Gulliver to the capital of the kingdom of giants, called Lorbrulgrud, that is, “Pride of the Universe.”

Chapter 3

Frequent performances undermined Gulliver's health. The farmer decided that he would soon die and happily sold the little man to the queen. Gulliver asked to take his nanny Glumdalklich into the service.

Gulliver often talked with the king. The monarch loved to hear about European morals, religion, education, laws and government, the Whig and Tory parties.

Gulliver got a lot of trouble from the palace dwarf. He constantly played tricks - he stuck a little man in an empty brain bone, shook an apple tree over him, and once even threw him into a jug of cream.

Chapter 4

Gulliver often accompanied the queen on her trips. A special travel chest was made for him.

The country of giants was located on a peninsula and separated from the mainland by a high mountain range. The kingdom was surrounded on three other sides by the ocean.

Chapter 5

Gulliver's life was generally happy, but due to his growth, troubles often happened to him. He was caught in a hailstorm, was grabbed by a gardener's lapdog, was almost carried away by a kite, and once he even "stumbled over a snail's shell, fell and sprained his leg."

One day, the cook's monkey grabbed Gulliver and began to rock him like a baby, and then dragged him to the roof. When people began to climb onto the roof, the monkey threw Gulliver away - fortunately, he managed to catch on the tiles.

Chapter 6

Gulliver made a comb from the hairs of the king's beard. From the queen's hair he wove a purse, as well as a back and seat for small chairs.

Once, listening to Gulliver’s stories about England, the king concluded: “Your hundred-year history is nothing more than an endless chain of conspiracies, unrest, murders, revolutions, executions and exiles!” And this is generated by greed, hypocrisy, treachery, cruelty, hatred, envy, debauchery and ambition.”

Chapter 7

Gulliver showed the king gunpowder and explained its destructive power. Gulliver offered to train local craftsmen in weapons making, but, to his surprise, the king refused in horror.

In schools, giants studied only history, mathematics, poetry and ethics. Printing existed here for a long time, but books were not particularly popular. The army consisted of merchants and farmers, commanded by nobles and nobles.

Chapter 8

Once Gulliver went to the southern coast with the royal family. The servant took the box with Gulliver to the sea. A sea eagle flying past grabbed the ring on the lid of the box with its beak. At some point, the bird released the box, and the captive found himself in the open sea. Gulliver barely managed to open the top hatch; he began to scream and wave his handkerchief. He was spotted from the ship and helped to get out. Nine months later he returned to England.

Part III. Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnegg, Glubbdobbrib and Japan

Chapter 1

A couple of months after arriving home, Gulliver set off again on the ship Good Hope. On the way, they were attacked by Dutch and Japanese pirates. Gulliver fell out of favor with their Dutch captain and was sent alone in a canoe “to the will of the waves and winds.”

While exploring the nearby islands, Gulliver noticed a flying island above him. The man attracted attention and was lifted upstairs.

Chapter 2

The inhabitants of the island were distinguished by strange figures. “Everyone’s head was tilted to the right or left, one eye turned inward and the other directed toward the zenith.” The servants, clymenols or flappers, "carried short sticks with inflated bull bladders tied to them." They smacked their owners with bubbles on their lips or ears, distracting them from their thoughts.

Gulliver was taken to the king and began to teach the language of the inhabitants of Laputa - the “flying island”. The capital of Laputa was the city of Lagado, located on the ground.

All thoughts of the Laputans constantly revolve around lines and figures. They consider applied geometry to be “the lot of artisans,” so their houses are built very poorly. Laputa women despise their husbands and have a penchant for foreigners. Men treat strangers with disdain.

Chapter 3

The entire lower surface of the flying island is a solid diamond slab. The main attraction of Laputa is a huge magnet, with the help of which “the island can rise, fall and move from place to place.” If the ruler of Laputa wants to punish his subjects on the continent, he stops the island above their city, thereby depriving the inhabitants of the rays of the sun and rain moisture.

The Laputans have well-developed astronomy; they “discovered two satellites orbiting Mars,” in which they were far ahead of the Europeans.

Chapter 4

Soon Gulliver went to the continent ruled by the monarch of the flying island - to the kingdom of Balnibarbi. The traveler was hosted by a local dignitary - a former governor named Munodi.

All the houses of Lagado looked dilapidated, and the people were dressed in rags. Outside the city, peasants worked in empty fields. In the village estate of Munodi, everything was the other way around - here “fenced fields, vineyards, gardens and meadows could be seen.” Munodi explained that he runs his household according to the old rules, so his compatriots despise him.

The dignitary said that about 40 years ago, some residents of the capital went to Laputa. Returning to earth, they decided to change everything and created the Projector Academy.

Chapters 5 – 6

Gulliver visited the Academy of Projectors and visited various scientists. One was engaged in a "project of distilling cucumbers for the purpose of extracting the sun's rays from them." The second is “the problem of converting human excrement into nutrients.” An architect came up with “a new way to build buildings, starting with the roof.” Scientists also proposed to abandon words in the language, and so that political opponents could reach an agreement, they suggested cutting out and changing parts of the brain. Gulliver visited many more offices and laboratories, but all the scientists were working on meaningless things.

Chapters 7 – 8

Gulliver went to the main port of the kingdom - Maldonada. He was invited to visit Glabbdobdrib - “the island of sorcerers and magicians.” The island was ruled by the oldest magician living on the island. He could bring the dead back to life for 24 hours. The living dead served in the ruler's palace.

The ruler proposed bringing some historical figures back to life. Gulliver asked to revive Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompey, Descartes, Gassendi, Aristotle and other famous personalities.

Chapter 9

Gulliver sails to Luggnagg. He is arrested and brought to Trildrogdrib, the residence of the king. According to the rules of the kingdom, Gulliver had to crawl on his belly and lick the dust at the foot of the throne.

Chapter 10

One noble gentleman said that “in Luggnagg, children are born with a red spot on their forehead” - immortal Struldbrugs. Having reached the age of eighty, Struldbrugs suffer from all the ailments and infirmities characteristic of very old people. “Immortals are incapable of friendship,” “envy and impotent desires constantly gnaw at them.”

Chapter 11

After leaving the king's residence, Gulliver went to the royal port of Glangvenstall, from where he sailed by ship to Japan. In the Japanese port city of Nagasaki, Gulliver met Dutch sailors. With them he sailed to Amsterdam, from where he soon returned to England.

Part IV. In the land of the Houyhnhnms

Chapter 1

Gulliver spent about 5 months with his wife and children, but the desire to travel turned out to be stronger. Taking command of the merchant ship Adventurer, he set sail. Along the way he had to take on new people in Barbados. They turned out to be pirates, captured the ship and put Gulliver ashore.

Heading deeper into the mainland, Gulliver saw disgusting-looking monkey-like creatures. They surrounded Gulliver, but noticing the approaching dappled gray horse, they immediately fled. The horse looked at Gulliver with interest. Soon another horse approached. They discussed something among themselves, and then taught Gulliver two words - “Yahoo” and “Houyhnhnm”.

Chapter 2

The gray horse led Gulliver to a building, inside of which a manger with hay stretched along the wall and other horses were located. Gulliver was not much different in appearance from the local Yahoos. He was offered Yahoo food (rotten meat), but he refused, asking for milk with signs. After lunch, Gulliver baked bread from oats, which also surprised the horse.

Horses were used by Yahoos as livestock and harnessed to carts.

Chapter 3

Gulliver began to actively study the Houyhnhnm language. The words “lie” and “deception” did not exist in their language; they had no concept of ships, states, they had no writing and literature.

Chapter 4

Gulliver explained how horses are treated in England. The gray horse was especially outraged by the fact that people rode Houyhnhnms.

Chapters 5 – 6

Gulliver told the horse in detail about history, revolution, wars, law and justice, the conduct of court affairs, what money is, the value of precious metals.

Chapters 7 – 8

Gulliver was so imbued with love and respect for the Houyhnhnms that he decided never to return to people again.

Gulliver describes that Yahoos are very difficult to train. “They are stubborn, malicious, treacherous, vindictive and completely devoid of the rudiments of nobility and generosity.” The Houyhnhnms, on the other hand, “are gifted with a good heart and have not the slightest idea of evil; the main rule of their life is a reasonable and harmonious existence.”

Chapter 9

Every fourth year, the country meets a Council of Representatives, where “the situation in the districts into which all the local land is divided is discussed.” Gulliver was secretly present at one of them and heard that the Houyhnhnms considered the Yahoos useless. After the Council, it was decided that Gulliver, like a Yahoo, should be sent outside their region.

Gulliver built something like an Indian pirogue, said goodbye to the Houyhnhnms and set sail.

Chapter 10

Gulliver wanted to build a hut on the nearest island and settle in solitude. But he was picked up by the sailors of a Portuguese ship. They decided that Gulliver had lost his mind, so he did not want to return home and was telling tales about intelligent horses.

After a while, Gulliver returned to his family, but the children annoyed him, and his wife seemed like a stranger. Soon he bought two foals and talked with them for several hours a day.

Conclusion

Gulliver's travels took 16 years and 7 months. In conclusion, he notes that he wrote about his travels not for the sake of fame, but “for the sake of correcting morals.” Gulliver tries to apply the lessons he learned from the Houyhnhnms. He calls his family members Yahoos and hopes to rehabilitate them. Gulliver is still disgusted by his fellow tribesmen, admiring horses. He is especially irritated by human pride.

Conclusion

"Gulliver's Adventures" is traditionally classified as a fantastic satirical-philosophical novel. In the book, Swift examines the issues of human self-identification, his search for his place in the world, touches on the problem of depravity and immorality of society, depicting human vices using the example of various heroes.

The novel "Gulliver's Adventures" has been translated into many languages and filmed more than ten times.

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Everyone knows the image of a sailor who is tied to the ground with ropes by little men. But in Jonathan Swift's book Gulliver's Travels, the main character does not stop at visiting the country of Lilliput. A work from a children's fairy tale turns into a philosophical reflection on humanity.

Teacher, publicist, philosopher, and also a priest, Jonathan Swift was originally from Ireland, but wrote in English, therefore he is considered an English writer. During his life he created 6 volumes of works. Gulliver's Travels was finally published in 1726-1727 in London, while Swift spent several years creating his work.

The author published the novel without indicating his authorship, and the book immediately became popular, although it was subject to censorship. The most widespread publication was the translation of the French writer Pierre Desfontaines, after which the novel was translated not from English, but from French.

Later, continuations and imitations of Gulliver's story, operettas and even short children's versions of the novel began to appear, mainly devoted to the first part.

Genre, direction

"Gulliver's Travels" can be classified as a fantastic satirical-philosophical novel. The main character meets fairy-tale characters and becomes a guest in non-existent worlds.

The novel was written in the era of Enlightenment or Late Classicism, for which the travel genre was very popular. The works of this direction are distinguished by their instructive character, attention to detail and the absence of controversial characters.

The essence

The main character Lemuel Gulliver ends up in Lilliput as a result of a shipwreck, where little people mistake him for a monster. He saves them from the inhabitants of the neighboring island of Blefuscu, but despite this, the Lilliputians are going to kill him, which is why Gulliver has to escape from them.

During his second journey, Lemuel ends up in Brobdingnag, the land of giants. The girl Gryumdalklich takes care of him. Little Gulliver ends up with the king, where he gradually realizes the insignificance of humanity. The navigator gets home by accident when a giant eagle flies away with a box that was the traveler's temporary home.

The third journey takes Gulliver to the country of Balnibarbi, to the flying city of Laputa, where he observes with surprise the stupidity of the inhabitants, disguised as learning. On the mainland in the capital Lagado, he visits an academy where he sees the mindless inventions of local scientists. On the island of Glubbdobbrib, summoning the souls of deceased historical figures, he learns the truth about them, hidden by historians. On the island of Luggnagg he meets the Struldbrugs, tormented by immortality, after which he returns to England through Japan.

The fourth journey takes Gulliver to an island where intelligent Houyhnhnms horses use the labor of wild Yahoo creatures. The main character is expelled because he looks like a Yahoo. For a long time Lemuel cannot get used to people whose company becomes unbearable for him.

The main characters and their characteristics

Lemuel Gulliver- native of Nottinghamshire. He is married to Mary Burton and has two children. To earn money, Lemuel becomes a surgeon on a ship, and then a captain of the ship. Like most Enlightenment protagonists, he is inquisitive. The traveler easily adapts to new conditions, quickly learns the languages of each place he finds himself in, and also embodies the conventional average hero.
Lilliputians. The word “Lilliputian” itself was coined by Swift. Residents of Lilliput and Blefuscu are 12 times smaller than an ordinary person. They are convinced that their country is the largest in the world, which is why they behave quite fearlessly with Gulliver. Lilliputians are an organized people, capable of doing difficult work quite quickly. They are ruled by a king named Golbasto Momaren Evlem Gerdaylo Shefin Molly Olly Gu. The Lilliputians are at war with the Blefuscans over a dispute over which side the egg should be broken from. But even in Lilliput itself there are disputes between the tremexene and slemexene parties, supporters of high and low heels. Gulliver's most ardent opponents are Galbeth Skyresh Bolgolam and Lord Chancellor of the Treasury Flimnap. The Lilliputians represent a parody of the English monarchy.
Giants. Residents of the island of Brobdingnag, on the contrary, are 12 times larger than the average person. They treat Gulliver with care, especially the daughter of the farmer Grumdalklich. The giants are ruled by a just king, who is horrified by Gulliver's stories about gunpowder. These people are not familiar with murder and war. Brobdingnag is an example of a utopia, an ideal state. The only unpleasant character is the royal dwarf.
Residents of Balnibarbi. To keep the inhabitants of the flying island of Laputa distracted from thinking about the Universe, the servants have to smack them with sticks. Everything around them: from clothes to food, is connected with astronomy and geometry. The Laputans rule the country, having the right to crush any rebellion that arises under the weight of the island at any time. There are also people on earth who consider themselves smarter than everyone else, which is not true. The inhabitants of the island of Glabbdobbrib know how to summon the souls of dead people, and on the island of Luggnegg immortal struldbrugs are sometimes born, distinguished by a large spot on their heads. After 80 years of age, they experience civil death: they are no longer capable of functioning, are forever aging, and are incapable of friendship and love.
Houyhnhnms. The island of Houyhnhnmia is inhabited by horses that can speak their own intelligent language. They have their own homes, families, meetings. Gulliver translates the word “Houyhnhnm” as “the crown of creation.” They don't know what money, power and war are. They do not understand many human words, since for them the concepts of “weapons”, “lies” and “sin” do not exist. Houyhnhnms write poetry, do not waste words, and die without sorrow.
Yahoo. The Houyhnhnms are served as domesticated animals by ape-like savages, the Yahoos, who feed on carrion. They lack the ability to share, love, hate each other and collect shiny stones (a parody of man's passion for money and jewelry). There is a legend among the Houyhnhnms that the first Yahoos came here from overseas and were ordinary people, like Gulliver.

Topics and issues

The main theme of the work is man and the moral principles by which he tries to live. Swift raises questions about who a person is, what he looks like from the outside, whether he is doing the right thing and what his place in this world is.

The author raises the problem of the depravity of society. People have forgotten what it means not to fight, to do good and to be reasonable. In the first part of Gulliver's Travels, attention is paid to the problem of pettiness of government, in the second - to the problem of the insignificance and cruelty of man in general, in the third - to the problem of the loss of common sense, in the fourth - to the problem of achieving an ideal, as well as the decline of human morals.

main idea

The work of Jonathan Swift is an illustration of the fact that the world is diverse and incomprehensible; people still have to unravel the meaning of the universe. In the meantime, an imperfect and weak person has a gigantic conceit, considers himself a higher being, but not only cannot know everything, but often he himself risks becoming worse than animals.

Many people have lost their humanity by inventing weapons, quarreling and deceiving. Man is petty, cruel, stupid and ugly in his behavior. The writer does not simply unfoundedly accuse humanity of all possible sins, but offers alternative options for existence. His main idea is the need to correct society through a consistent rejection of the vices of ignorance.

What does it teach?

The main character becomes a kind of observer from the outside. The reader, getting acquainted with the book, understands with him that a person needs to remain human. You should objectively assess your impact on the world around you, lead a reasonable life and not plunge into vices that gradually turn a person into a savage.

People should think about what humanity has come to and try to change the world, at least in a situation where it depends on each of them.

Criticism

The novel "Gulliver's Travels" was subjected to severe criticism, despite the fact that at first it was accepted as an ordinary fairy tale. According to reviewers, Jonathan Swift insults man, which means he insults God. The fourth part of the work suffered the most: the author was accused of hatred of people and bad taste.

For years, the church banned the book and state officials shortened it to cut down on dangerous political speculation. However, for the Irish people, the dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral remained a legendary fighter for the rights of the oppressed poor; ordinary townspeople did not forget about his social activities and literary talent.

Jonathan Swift

Gulliver's Travels

Part one

Travel to Lilliput

The three-masted brig Antelope was sailing into the Southern Ocean.

The ship's doctor Gulliver stood at the stern and looked through a telescope at the pier. His wife and two children remained there: son Johnny and daughter Betty.

This was not the first time Gulliver went to sea. He loved to travel. While still at school, he spent almost all the money his father sent him on sea maps and books about foreign countries. He diligently studied geography and mathematics, because these sciences are most needed by a sailor.

Gulliver's father apprenticed him to a famous London doctor at that time. Gulliver studied with him for several years, but never stopped thinking about the sea.

Medicine was useful to him: after finishing his studies, he became a ship’s doctor on the ship “Swallow” and sailed on it for three and a half years. And then, after living in London for two years, he made several trips to East and West India.

Gulliver was never bored while sailing. In his cabin he read books taken from home, and on the shore he looked closely at how other peoples lived, studied their language and customs.

On the way back, he wrote down his road adventures in detail.

And this time, going to sea, Gulliver took with him a thick notebook.

On the first page of this book it was written: “On May 4, 1699, we weighed anchor at Bristol.”

The Antelope sailed for many weeks and months across the Southern Ocean. Fair winds were blowing. The trip was successful.

But one day, while sailing to East India, the ship was overtaken by a terrible storm. The wind and waves drove him somewhere unknown.

And in the hold the supply of food and fresh water was already running out.

Twelve sailors died from fatigue and hunger. The rest could barely move their legs. The ship was tossed from side to side like a nutshell.

One dark, stormy night, the wind carried the Antelope straight onto a sharp rock. The sailors noticed this too late. The ship hit the cliff and broke into pieces.

Only Gulliver and five sailors managed to escape in the boat.

They rushed around the sea for a long time and finally became completely exhausted. And the waves became larger and larger, and then the highest wave tossed and capsized the boat.

Water covered Gulliver's head.

When he surfaced, there was no one near him. All his companions drowned.

Gulliver swam alone, aimlessly, driven by the wind and tide. Every now and then he tried to feel the bottom, but there was still no bottom. But he could no longer swim: his wet caftan and heavy, swollen shoes pulled him down. He was choking and choking.

And suddenly his feet touched solid ground.

It was a sandbank. Gulliver carefully stepped along the sandy bottom once or twice - and slowly walked forward, trying not to stumble.

The going became easier and easier. At first the water reached his shoulders, then his waist, then only his knees. He already thought that the shore was very close, but the bottom in this place was very sloping, and Gulliver had to wander knee-deep in water for a long time.

Finally the water and sand were left behind.

Gulliver came out onto a lawn covered with very soft and very short grass. He sank to the ground, put his hand under his cheek and fell fast asleep.

When Gulliver woke up, it was already quite light. He was lying on his back, and the sun was shining directly in his face.

He wanted to rub his eyes, but could not raise his hand; I wanted to sit down, but could not move.

Thin ropes entangled his entire body from his armpits to his knees; arms and legs were tightly tied with a rope net; strings wrapped around each finger. Even Gulliver's long thick hair was tightly wound around small pegs driven into the ground and intertwined with ropes.

Gulliver looked like a fish caught in a net.

“That’s right, I’m still sleeping,” he thought.

Suddenly something living quickly climbed up his leg, reached his chest and stopped at his chin.

Gulliver squinted one eye.

What a miracle! There is a little man standing almost under his nose - tiny, but a real little man! He has a bow and arrow in his hands and a quiver behind his back. And he himself is only three fingers tall.

Following the first little man, another four dozen of the same little shooters climbed onto Gulliver.

Gulliver screamed loudly in surprise.

The little people rushed about and ran in all directions.

As they ran, they stumbled and fell, then jumped up and one after another jumped to the ground.

For two or three minutes no one else approached Gulliver. Only under his ear there was a noise all the time, similar to the chirping of grasshoppers.

But soon the little men became brave again and again began to climb up his legs, arms and shoulders, and the bravest of them crept up to Gulliver’s face, touched his chin with a spear and shouted in a thin but distinct voice:

- Gekina degul!

- Gekina degul! Gekina degul! – picked up thin voices from all sides.

But Gulliver did not understand what these words meant, although he knew many foreign languages.

Gulliver lay on his back for a long time. His arms and legs were completely numb.

He gathered his strength and tried to lift his left hand off the ground.

Finally he succeeded. He pulled out the pegs, around which hundreds of thin, strong ropes were wound, and raised his hand.

At that same moment, someone below squeaked loudly:

- Just a flashlight!

Hundreds of arrows pierced Gulliver’s hand, face, and neck at once. The men's arrows were thin and sharp, like needles.

Gulliver closed his eyes and decided to lie still until night came.

“It will be easier to free myself in the dark,” he thought.

But he didn’t have to wait for the night on the lawn.

Not far from his right ear, a frequent, fractional knocking sound was heard, as if someone nearby was hammering nails into a board.

The hammers knocked for an hour. Gulliver turned his head slightly - the ropes and pegs no longer allowed him to turn it - and right next to his head he saw a newly built wooden platform. Several men were adjusting a ladder to it.

Then they ran away, and a little man in a long cloak slowly climbed up the steps to the platform.

Behind him walked another, almost half his height, and carried the edge of his cloak. It was probably a page boy. It was no larger than Gulliver's little finger.

The last to ascend the platform were two archers with drawn bows in their hands.

– Langro degul san! – the man in the cloak shouted three times and unrolled a scroll the length and width of a birch leaf.

Now fifty little men ran up to Gulliver and cut the ropes tied to his hair.

Gulliver turned his head and began to listen to what the man in the cloak was reading. The little man read and talked for a long, long time. Gulliver didn’t understand anything, but just in case, he nodded his head and put his free hand to his heart.

Jonathan Swift described four parts of the novel, four fantastic journeys. “Gulliver's Adventures” is a utopian work, the author of which wanted to depict contemporary England and, with the help of satire, ridicule certain things. The main character constantly sails from real-life port cities, and ends up in exotic countries with their own laws, traditions, and way of life. Gulliver learns a lot of new things during his travels, and also tells residents of strange countries about his homeland.

Travel to Lilliput

This is where Gulliver's adventures begin. The summary of the first part of the novel tells that the little people warmly greeted the “Man-Mountain”. Lilliputians do everything to make both parties comfortable; especially for their guest, they pass several laws regulating his communication with local residents. The dwarfs provide Gulliver with housing and food, which is not so easy, because the guest’s diet is equal to 1,728 Lilliputian portions.

The traveler has a pleasant conversation with the emperor, telling him about his homeland. All the main characters of Gulliver's Adventures are amazed at the absurdity that reigns in England, because their political system is built differently. The Lilliputians tell the guest about their war with Blefuscu, and he helps them defeat the enemy empire. But among the court retinue there are those who present all the good deeds of Gulliver to the emperor from the bad side. They demand the death of the intruder, but in the end they only decide to gouge out his eyes. Gulliver runs away to Blefuscu, where he is greeted with joy, but they also want to get rid of the giant as quickly as possible. The hero builds himself a boat and sails away to his homeland.

Journey to the Land of Giants

In the second part of the novel, already in the country where giants live, Gulliver's adventures continue. The summary of the work tells that here, in comparison with the previous plot, the main character and the local population change places. Gulliver demonstrates the ability to adapt to any circumstances, even the most fantastic life situations. The hero gets into various troubles and, in the end, comes to the royal palace, where he becomes the ruler's favorite interlocutor. Here the writer again compares the laws and traditions of the utopian state with the laws of his country. No matter how good it is to be away, home is better, and the hero again sets off for his native shores.

Travel to the flying island of Laputa

The third part of Swift's novel continues the amazing adventures of Gulliver. The summary tells the reader about the unusual life of the Laputans, who love to keep up with news and politics so much that due to excessive worry and fear living in their minds, they cannot sleep peacefully. Here the writer gave many examples of absurdity. First, there are the clappers, whose job is to attract the listeners' attention to the conversation. Secondly, the poverty of the continent to which Gulliver descends from the flying island is shown. Thirdly, a visit to the Academy of Projectors, where Swift described in all its glory scientists who allow themselves to be led by the nose. Tired of miracles, the hero goes home again.

Travel to the country of the Houyhnhnms

The fourth part concludes Gulliver's adventures. The summary tells about an amazing state in which noble, highly moral and respectable horses live, and they are served by vile and evil Yahoos that look like people. The main character likes this utopian country and wants to stay here forever, but the Houyhnhnms expel Gulliver from their state because, although he is noble, he looks like a Yahoo. The idea of tolerance turns out to be alien even to these kind creatures, and the main character goes home.