An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 1336 words)
he author returns to Maldonada. Sails to the kingdom of Luggnagg. The
author confined. He is sent for to court. The manner of his admittance.
The king’s great lenity to his subjects.
The day of our departure being come, I took leave of his highness, the
Governor of Glubbdubdrib, and returned with my two companions to
Maldonada, where, after a fortnight’s waiting, a ship was ready to sail
for Luggnagg. The two gentlemen, and some others, were so generous and
kind as to furnish me with provisions, and see me on board. I was a
month in this voyage. We had one violent storm, and were under a
necessity of steering westward to get into the trade wind, which holds
for above sixty leagues. On the 21st of April, 1708, we sailed into the
river of Clumegnig, which is a seaport town, at the south-east point of
Luggnagg. We cast anchor within a league of the town, and made a signal
for a pilot. Two of them came on board in less than half an hour, by
whom we were guided between certain shoals and rocks, which are very
dangerous in the passage, to a large basin, where a fleet may ride in
safety within a cable’s length of the town-wall.
Some of our sailors, whether out of treachery or inadvertence, had
informed the pilots “that I was a stranger, and great traveller;”
whereof these gave notice to a custom-house officer, by whom I was
examined very strictly upon my landing. This officer spoke to me in the
language of Balnibarbi, which, by the force of much commerce, is
generally understood in that town, especially by seamen and those
employed in the customs. I gave him a short account of some
particulars, and made my story as plausible and consistent as I could;
but I thought it necessary to disguise my country, and call myself a
Hollander; because my intentions were for Japan, and I knew the Dutch
were the only Europeans permitted to enter into that kingdom. I
therefore told the officer, “that having been shipwrecked on the coast
of Balnibarbi, and cast on a rock, I was received up into Laputa, or
the flying island (of which he had often heard), and was now
endeavouring to get to Japan, whence I might find a convenience of
returning to my own country.” The officer said, “I must be confined
till he could receive orders from court, for which he would write
immediately, and hoped to receive an answer in a fortnight.” I was
carried to a convenient lodging with a sentry placed at the door;
however, I had the liberty of a large garden, and was treated with
humanity enough, being maintained all the time at the king’s charge. I
was invited by several persons, chiefly out of curiosity, because it
was reported that I came from countries very remote, of which they had
never heard.
I hired a young man, who came in the same ship, to be an interpreter;
he was a native of Luggnagg, but had lived some years at Maldonada, and
was a perfect master of both languages. By his assistance, I was able
to hold a conversation with those who came to visit me; but this
consisted only of their questions, and my answers.
The despatch came from court about the time we expected. It contained a
warrant for conducting me and my retinue to Traldragdubh, or
Trildrogdrib (for it is pronounced both ways as near as I can
remember), by a party of ten horse. All my retinue was that poor lad
for an interpreter, whom I persuaded into my service, and, at my humble
request, we had each of us a mule to ride on. A messenger was
despatched half a day’s journey before us, to give the king notice of
my approach, and to desire, “that his majesty would please to appoint a
day and hour, when it would by his gracious pleasure that I might have
the honour to lick the dust before his footstool.” This is the court
style, and I found it to be more than matter of form: for, upon my
admittance two days after my arrival, I was commanded to crawl upon my
belly, and lick the floor as I advanced; but, on account of my being a
stranger, care was taken to have it made so clean, that the dust was
not offensive. However, this was a peculiar grace, not allowed to any
but persons of the highest rank, when they desire an admittance. Nay,
sometimes the floor is strewed with dust on purpose, when the person to
be admitted happens to have powerful enemies at court; and I have seen
a great lord with his mouth so crammed, that when he had crept to the
proper distance from the throne; he was not able to speak a word.
Neither is there any remedy; because it is capital for those who
receive an audience to spit or wipe their mouths in his majesty’s
presence. There is indeed another custom, which I cannot altogether
approve of: when the king has a mind to put any of his nobles to death
in a gentle indulgent manner, he commands the floor to be strewed with
a certain brown powder of a deadly composition, which being licked up,
infallibly kills him in twenty-four hours. But in justice to this
prince’s great clemency, and the care he has of his subjects’ lives
(wherein it were much to be wished that the Monarchs of Europe would
imitate him), it must be mentioned for his honour, that strict orders
are given to have the infected parts of the floor well washed after
every such execution, which, if his domestics neglect, they are in
danger of incurring his royal displeasure. I myself heard him give
directions, that one of his pages should be whipped, whose turn it was
to give notice about washing the floor after an execution, but
maliciously had omitted it; by which neglect a young lord of great
hopes, coming to an audience, was unfortunately poisoned, although the
king at that time had no design against his life. But this good prince
was so gracious as to forgive the poor page his whipping, upon promise
that he would do so no more, without special orders.
To return from this digression. When I had crept within four yards of
the throne, I raised myself gently upon my knees, and then striking my
forehead seven times against the ground, I pronounced the following
words, as they had been taught me the night before, Ickpling
gloffthrobb squutserumm blhiop mlashnalt zwin tnodbalkguffh slhiophad
gurdlubh asht. This is the compliment, established by the laws of the
land, for all persons admitted to the king’s presence. It may be
rendered into English thus: “May your celestial majesty outlive the
sun, eleven moons and a half!” To this the king returned some answer,
which, although I could not understand, yet I replied as I had been
directed: Fluft drin yalerick dwuldom prastrad mirpush, which
properly signifies, “My tongue is in the mouth of my friend;” and by
this expression was meant, that I desired leave to bring my
interpreter; whereupon the young man already mentioned was accordingly
introduced, by whose intervention I answered as many questions as his
majesty could put in above an hour. I spoke in the Balnibarbian tongue,
and my interpreter delivered my meaning in that of Luggnagg.
The king was much delighted with my company, and ordered his
bliffmarklub, or high-chamberlain, to appoint a lodging in the court
for me and my interpreter; with a daily allowance for my table, and a
large purse of gold for my common expenses.
I staid three months in this country, out of perfect obedience to his
majesty; who was pleased highly to favour me, and made me very
honourable offers. But I thought it more consistent with prudence and
justice to pass the remainder of my days with my wife and family.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
When those in power create degrading requirements, then frame small considerations within that cruelty as extraordinary kindness.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches you to spot when authority figures create suffering and then take credit for managing it.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone frames basic decency as extraordinary generosity—are they creating the problem they're 'solving'?
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Some of our sailors, whether out of treachery or inadvertence, had informed the pilots 'that I was a stranger, and great traveller'"
Context: When Gulliver's ship arrives and he immediately gets flagged to authorities
This shows how casually people share information that can get others in trouble. Swift highlights how surveillance systems depend on ordinary people passing along 'harmless' details.
In Today's Words:
Someone on the crew told the harbor guys I was a foreigner who'd been around
"The king's great lenity to his subjects"
Context: Describing how the king is praised for his supposed mercy
Swift uses irony here - the king who poisons people through required ceremonies is celebrated for his kindness. It exposes how power structures frame cruelty as compassion.
In Today's Words:
Everyone talks about how nice the king is to his people
"I was examined very strictly upon my first arrival"
Context: When customs officials detain Gulliver at the port
This captures the anxiety of being processed by bureaucracy - you're guilty until proven innocent, and officials have total power over your fate for arbitrary reasons.
In Today's Words:
They put me through the wringer as soon as I got there
Thematic Threads
Power
In This Chapter
The king's absolute authority expressed through ritualized humiliation that everyone must accept as honor
Development
Evolved from earlier chapters showing different forms of arbitrary authority
In Your Life:
You might see this when bosses create unreasonable demands then expect gratitude for minor flexibility.
Class
In This Chapter
Court hierarchy enforced through literal prostration, with nobles subject to poisoned floors when they fall from favor
Development
Continues examining how social position determines treatment and survival
In Your Life:
You might experience this in healthcare settings where your insurance status determines the respect you receive.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Everyone must learn elaborate phrases and perform degrading ceremonies to function in society
Development
Building on earlier themes of conformity requirements for social acceptance
In Your Life:
You might face this in any institution that demands specific language and behaviors for basic services.
Identity
In This Chapter
Gulliver must choose between maintaining dignity and gaining protection through submission
Development
Continues exploring how survival needs force identity compromises
In Your Life:
You might struggle with this when job requirements conflict with your personal values.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
All relationships with authority figures mediated through ritualized submission and false gratitude
Development
Shows how power imbalances corrupt even basic human interactions
In Your Life:
You might notice this in any relationship where someone holds significant power over your wellbeing.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What ritual does the king of Luggnagg require from all visitors, and how does he present this requirement as a kindness?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does the king poison some people's floor space but not others, and how does this reveal the true purpose of the ritual?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone create a degrading requirement but frame it as tradition, respect, or privilege?
application • medium - 4
When facing a situation where you must choose between humiliation and access to something you need, how do you protect your dignity while surviving the system?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter teach us about how people in power maintain control through rituals that seem respectful but are actually degrading?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Identify the Humiliation Pattern
Think of a situation where you had to jump through hoops to get something you needed - a job, healthcare, government service, or family approval. Map out the three-step pattern: What degrading requirement was created? How was your compliance made to seem voluntary? What small mercy were you expected to be grateful for?
Consider:
- •Look for situations where basic human treatment was presented as special favor
- •Notice when you were made to feel grateful for getting less than you deserved
- •Consider who benefited from making the process difficult or humiliating
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you recognized you were being asked to be grateful for crumbs. How did you handle it, and what would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 26: The Curse of Immortality
Gulliver's time in Luggnagg takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a group of immortal beings called the Struldbrugs. What seems like the ultimate blessing of eternal life reveals itself to be something far more complex and troubling.
