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.
How was Gulliver taken to the capital city from the seashore?
In Jonathan Swift’s (1667 –1745) classic novel Gulliver’s Travels (1726), the protagonist, Lemuel Gulliver, finds himself in various strange lands. One of his most memorable adventures occurs in Lilliput, a land of tiny people. Gulliver is transported to their capital city in a unique and elaborate manner. It highlights the organization of these small but resourceful people.
The Capture and Initial Restraint: Upon his arrival on the shores of Lilliput, Gulliver is discovered by the miniature inhabitants. They are initially fearful of the giant figure lying on their beach. They take precautions by securing him with countless tiny ropes while he is asleep. Gulliver says,
I was at the pains of making ropes and cables, by twisting ten, twenty, or thirty of the thickest and strongest of theirs.
Preparation for the Transport: The Lilliputians devise a clever plan to move Gulliver to the capital city for further examination and presentation to the emperor. They construct a large wooden platform, specifically designed to bear Gulliver’s enormous weight. This platform is equipped with twenty-two wheels, each pulled by dozens of the strongest horses in Lilliput. The wooded platform is described as the following manner,
It was a frame of wood raised three inches from the ground, about seven feet long, and four wide, moving upon twenty-two wheels.
The Lilliputians display remarkable engineering skills and coordination as they carefully secure Gulliver onto the platform.
In termination, we can say that Gulliver’s transportation from the seashore to the capital city of Lilliput showcases the ingenuity and organization of the tiny inhabitants.