What Were the Common Features of People, Animals, and Trees in Lilliput?
Gulliver’s Travels is a notable literary work by Jonathan Swift. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Gulliver’s Travels.
Answer
What were the common features of people, animals, and trees in Lilliput?
In Jonathan Swift’s (1667 –1745) “Gulliver’s Travels” (1726), the land of Lilliput presents a world that is a miniature version of our own. Everything in Lilliput, from the people to the animals and trees, shares a common feature: they are significantly smaller than their counterparts in the real world. This unique aspect of Lilliput creates a fascinating setting for Gulliver’s adventures.
Miniature People: The people of Lilliput are the most striking example of this miniature world. Standing at only six inches tall, they have all the physical characteristics of normal humans but on a much smaller scale. Their houses, clothing, and daily objects are similarly tiny, creating a cohesive miniature society.
As the common size of the natives is somewhat under six inches, so there is an exact proportion in all other animals, as well as plants and trees:
Despite their size, the Lilliputians have a complex social structure and advanced technologies.
Miniature Animals: The animals in Lilliput are also significantly smaller. For example, the largest horses and cows are about the size of a small dog in Gulliver’s world. These animals are bred and used in ways similar to how we use animals, but their small size makes their management and care quite different. Gulliver observes how the Lilliputians handle their livestock and pets.
Miniature Trees: The trees and plants in Lilliput are in perfect proportion to the people and animals. Trees that would be towering giants in Gulliver’s world are only a few feet tall in Lilliput. This miniature flora creates an environment that feels familiar yet distinctly different.
In conclusion, we can say that the common feature of miniaturization in Lilliput’s people, animals, and trees creates a unique and intriguing setting in “Gulliver’s Travels.”