Summary
Gulliver embarks on his third voyage as ship's surgeon, but pirates capture his vessel within days. A Dutch pirate, despite sharing Gulliver's Christian faith, shows more cruelty than the Japanese captain who spares Gulliver's life. This bitter irony—finding mercy from a 'heathen' rather than a 'brother Christian'—exposes how religious and cultural prejudices can corrupt natural human compassion. Set adrift alone in a canoe, Gulliver faces almost certain death on a barren island. Just when despair overwhelms him, an impossible sight appears: a floating island inhabited by people who can control its movement. Swift uses this fantastical rescue to highlight how quickly we accept the miraculous when we're desperate. The Dutchman's malice reveals how shared identity doesn't guarantee kindness—sometimes strangers show more humanity than those who should be allies. Gulliver's survival depends on abandoning his preconceptions about who deserves trust. As he's pulled up to the flying island of Laputa, we see how extreme circumstances force us to reconsider what's possible and who might save us. This chapter sets up Swift's satire of intellectual pride and detachment from practical reality, while showing how prejudice can blind us to both cruelty in ourselves and mercy in others.
Coming Up in Chapter 18
Aboard the mysterious floating island, Gulliver encounters the Laputans—a people so obsessed with mathematics and music that they need servants to remind them to pay attention to the world around them. Their bizarre customs will reveal the dangers of pure intellectual pursuit divorced from practical wisdom.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The author sets out on his third voyage. Is taken by pirates. The malice of a Dutchman. His arrival at an island. He is received into Laputa. I had not been at home above ten days, when Captain William Robinson, a Cornish man, commander of the Hopewell, a stout ship of three hundred tons, came to my house. I had formerly been surgeon of another ship where he was master, and a fourth part owner, in a voyage to the Levant. He had always treated me more like a brother, than an inferior officer; and, hearing of my arrival, made me a visit, as I apprehended only out of friendship, for nothing passed more than what is usual after long absences. But repeating his visits often, expressing his joy to find me in good health, asking, “whether I were now settled for life?” adding, “that he intended a voyage to the East Indies in two months,” at last he plainly invited me, though with some apologies, to be surgeon of the ship; “that I should have another surgeon under me, beside our two mates; that my salary should be double to the usual pay; and that having experienced my knowledge in sea-affairs to be at least equal to his, he would enter into any engagement to follow my advice, as much as if I had shared in the command.” He said so many other obliging things, and I knew him to be so honest a man, that I could not reject this proposal; the thirst I had of seeing the world, notwithstanding my past misfortunes, continuing as violent as ever. The only difficulty that remained, was to persuade my wife, whose consent however I at last obtained, by the prospect of advantage she proposed to her children. We set out the 5th day of August, 1706, and arrived at Fort St. George the 11th of April, 1707. We staid there three weeks to refresh our crew, many of whom were sick. From thence we went to Tonquin, where the captain resolved to continue some time, because many of the goods he intended to buy were not ready, nor could he expect to be dispatched in several months. Therefore, in hopes to defray some of the charges he must be at, he bought a sloop, loaded it with several sorts of goods, wherewith the Tonquinese usually trade to the neighbouring islands, and putting fourteen men on board, whereof three were of the country, he appointed me master of the sloop, and gave me power to traffic, while he transacted his affairs at Tonquin. We had not sailed above three days, when a great storm arising, we were driven five days to the north-north-east, and then to the east: after which we had fair weather, but still with a pretty strong gale from the west. Upon the tenth day we were chased by two pirates, who soon overtook us; for my sloop was so deep laden, that she sailed very slow, neither...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Misplaced Trust - Why Shared Labels Don't Guarantee Loyalty
The tendency to trust people based on shared identity markers rather than demonstrated character, often leading to betrayal from supposed allies and missed opportunities for genuine connection with different others.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to evaluate trustworthiness based on actions toward vulnerable people rather than shared identity or beliefs.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone talks about helping 'their people' but treats service workers poorly—their true character shows in how they treat those with less power.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Levant
The eastern Mediterranean region including modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and parts of Turkey. In Swift's time, this was exotic territory for English merchants seeking valuable goods like spices and silk.
Modern Usage:
We still use this term when discussing Middle Eastern trade routes and cultural exchanges.
East Indies
The spice-rich islands of Southeast Asia (modern Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines) that European traders desperately wanted to reach. These voyages promised huge profits but carried enormous risks.
Modern Usage:
Like today's tech entrepreneurs chasing the next big opportunity in emerging markets.
Pirates
Not the romanticized movie version - these were brutal criminals who attacked merchant ships for cargo and ransom. They operated in organized fleets and showed no mercy to captives.
Modern Usage:
Modern pirates still exist, hijacking ships off Somalia and other coastlines for ransom money.
Religious prejudice
The assumption that sharing the same faith automatically makes someone trustworthy or moral. Swift shows how this blind trust can be more dangerous than honest wariness of strangers.
Modern Usage:
We see this when people assume others from their church, political party, or social group are automatically good people.
Floating island
Laputa, a flying island whose inhabitants can control its movement. This impossible sight represents how desperate circumstances make us accept the unbelievable when it offers hope.
Modern Usage:
Like when we're so desperate for help that we'll trust sketchy online offers or too-good-to-be-true opportunities.
Ship's surgeon
The medical officer responsible for treating injuries and illnesses during long sea voyages. This was a respectable profession that required education but wasn't as prestigious as being a land-based doctor.
Modern Usage:
Similar to today's traveling nurses or offshore oil rig medics who work in isolated, high-risk environments.
Characters in This Chapter
Captain William Robinson
Mentor figure
A Cornish sea captain who treats Gulliver like family rather than just an employee. He offers generous terms and shows genuine respect for Gulliver's abilities, demonstrating how good leadership involves recognizing others' worth.
Modern Equivalent:
The boss who actually values your experience and offers you a promotion with real respect
Gulliver
Protagonist
Once again drawn to adventure despite past traumatic experiences. His willingness to trust Robinson shows both his optimistic nature and his inability to learn from previous disasters.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who keeps getting into bad relationships but still believes the next one will be different
The Dutch pirate
Antagonist
A fellow Christian who shows more cruelty than the non-Christian Japanese captain. His malice exposes how shared religion doesn't guarantee moral behavior and can even mask greater evil.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker from your same background who throws you under the bus worse than strangers would
The Japanese captain
Unexpected ally
Though not Christian, he shows mercy by sparing Gulliver's life when he could have killed him. His compassion contrasts sharply with the Dutch pirate's cruelty.
Modern Equivalent:
The stranger who helps you when your own people won't
The Laputans
Mysterious rescuers
The inhabitants of the floating island who rescue Gulliver from certain death. Their impossible existence forces him to abandon his assumptions about what's real and possible.
Modern Equivalent:
The unexpected help that comes from the most unlikely source when you're at rock bottom
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He had always treated me more like a brother, than an inferior officer"
Context: Gulliver describing Captain Robinson's respectful treatment of him
This shows genuine leadership - Robinson sees Gulliver's worth as a person, not just his rank. It also explains why Gulliver trusts him enough to embark on another dangerous voyage.
In Today's Words:
He always treated me like an equal, not like someone beneath him
"The Dutchman, pleased to find me a Christian, doubled his cruelty"
Context: When the Dutch pirate discovers Gulliver shares his faith
This bitter irony exposes how religious identity can become a tool for greater malice rather than compassion. The shared faith becomes an excuse for worse treatment, not better.
In Today's Words:
Finding out we had the same beliefs just made him want to hurt me more
"I expected every moment that my canoe would be overset by a wave"
Context: Gulliver alone in a small boat, facing almost certain death
This captures the terror of being completely helpless against forces beyond our control. It sets up his desperate gratitude when the impossible rescue appears.
In Today's Words:
I thought any second a wave would flip my boat and I'd drown
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Gulliver's assumptions about Dutch Christian vs Japanese 'heathen' prove dangerously wrong
Development
Builds on earlier themes of mistaken identity and surface judgments
In Your Life:
You might assume someone shares your values just because they share your background, religion, or political views
Class
In This Chapter
The pirates operate outside normal social hierarchies, revealing how crisis strips away civilized pretenses
Development
Continues exploration of how social structures can both protect and deceive
In Your Life:
You might find that workplace hierarchies don't predict who will actually help you in a crisis
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Expected Christian compassion from Dutch pirate, unexpected mercy from Japanese captain
Development
Deepens the pattern of reality contradicting social assumptions
In Your Life:
You might be disappointed by people you expected to support you while surprised by help from unexpected sources
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Gulliver's survival depends on abandoning preconceptions about who deserves trust
Development
Shows how crisis forces recalibration of judgment systems
In Your Life:
You might need to revise your assumptions about trustworthiness when facing major life challenges
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Discovers that shared faith doesn't guarantee kindness while cultural difference doesn't prevent compassion
Development
Introduces complexity about the foundations of human connection
In Your Life:
You might find deeper connections with people who are different from you than with those who seem similar on the surface
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Gulliver expect mercy from the Dutch pirate but not from the Japanese captain?
analysis • surface - 2
What does the Dutch pirate's cruelty reveal about how shared identity can mislead us?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you seen someone trust the wrong person because they seemed 'like them' - same background, beliefs, or group?
application • medium - 4
How would you redesign your approach to trusting people after seeing this pattern?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the difference between surface similarities and actual character?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Trust Audit: Actions vs. Labels
Think of three people you trust and three you don't. For each person, write down what group similarities you share (religion, politics, profession, background) and what specific actions they've taken that built or broke trust. Look for patterns in your own trust-building criteria.
Consider:
- •Focus on actual behaviors, not just personality traits or shared opinions
- •Notice if you trust people more for being 'like you' than for their track record
- •Consider how each person treats people with less power than them
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone you expected to support you let you down, or when someone unexpected showed you kindness. What did that teach you about judging character?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 18: The Absent-Minded Professors of Laputa
What lies ahead teaches us intellectual obsession can disconnect you from practical reality, and shows us expertise in one area doesn't guarantee wisdom in others. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.