An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 1278 words)
he author leaves Luggnagg, and sails to Japan. From thence he returns
in a Dutch ship to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to England.
I thought this account of the struldbrugs might be some entertainment
to the reader, because it seems to be a little out of the common way;
at least I do not remember to have met the like in any book of travels
that has come to my hands; and if I am deceived, my excuse must be,
that it is necessary for travellers who describe the same country, very
often to agree in dwelling on the same particulars, without deserving
the censure of having borrowed or transcribed from those who wrote
before them.
There is indeed a perpetual commerce between this kingdom and the great
empire of Japan; and it is very probable, that the Japanese authors may
have given some account of the struldbrugs; but my stay in Japan was
so short, and I was so entirely a stranger to the language, that I was
not qualified to make any inquiries. But I hope the Dutch, upon this
notice, will be curious and able enough to supply my defects.
His majesty having often pressed me to accept some employment in his
court, and finding me absolutely determined to return to my native
country, was pleased to give me his license to depart; and honoured me
with a letter of recommendation, under his own hand, to the Emperor of
Japan. He likewise presented me with four hundred and forty-four large
pieces of gold (this nation delighting in even numbers), and a red
diamond, which I sold in England for eleven hundred pounds.
On the 6th day of May, 1709, I took a solemn leave of his majesty, and
all my friends. This prince was so gracious as to order a guard to
conduct me to Glanguenstald, which is a royal port to the south-west
part of the island. In six days I found a vessel ready to carry me to
Japan, and spent fifteen days in the voyage. We landed at a small
port-town called Xamoschi, situated on the south-east part of Japan;
the town lies on the western point, where there is a narrow strait
leading northward into a long arm of the sea, upon the north-west part
of which, Yedo, the metropolis, stands. At landing, I showed the
custom-house officers my letter from the king of Luggnagg to his
imperial majesty. They knew the seal perfectly well; it was as broad as
the palm of my hand. The impression was, A king lifting up a lame
beggar from the earth. The magistrates of the town, hearing of my
letter, received me as a public minister. They provided me with
carriages and servants, and bore my charges to Yedo; where I was
admitted to an audience, and delivered my letter, which was opened with
great ceremony, and explained to the Emperor by an interpreter, who
then gave me notice, by his majesty’s order, “that I should signify my
request, and, whatever it were, it should be granted, for the sake of
his royal brother of Luggnagg.” This interpreter was a person employed
to transact affairs with the Hollanders. He soon conjectured, by my
countenance, that I was a European, and therefore repeated his
majesty’s commands in Low Dutch, which he spoke perfectly well. I
answered, as I had before determined, “that I was a Dutch merchant,
shipwrecked in a very remote country, whence I had travelled by sea and
land to Luggnagg, and then took shipping for Japan; where I knew my
countrymen often traded, and with some of these I hoped to get an
opportunity of returning into Europe: I therefore most humbly entreated
his royal favour, to give order that I should be conducted in safety to
Nangasac.” To this I added another petition, “that for the sake of my
patron the king of Luggnagg, his majesty would condescend to excuse my
performing the ceremony imposed on my countrymen, of trampling upon the
crucifix, because I had been thrown into his kingdom by my misfortunes,
without any intention of trading.” When this latter petition was
interpreted to the Emperor, he seemed a little surprised; and said, “he
believed I was the first of my countrymen who ever made any scruple in
this point; and that he began to doubt, whether I was a real Hollander,
or not; but rather suspected I must be a Christian. However, for the
reasons I had offered, but chiefly to gratify the king of Luggnagg by
an uncommon mark of his favour, he would comply with the singularity of
my humour; but the affair must be managed with dexterity, and his
officers should be commanded to let me pass, as it were by
forgetfulness. For he assured me, that if the secret should be
discovered by my countrymen the Dutch, they would cut my throat in the
voyage.” I returned my thanks, by the interpreter, for so unusual a
favour; and some troops being at that time on their march to Nangasac,
the commanding officer had orders to convey me safe thither, with
particular instructions about the business of the crucifix.
On the 9th day of June, 1709, I arrived at Nangasac, after a very long
and troublesome journey. I soon fell into the company of some Dutch
sailors belonging to the Amboyna, of Amsterdam, a stout ship of 450
tons. I had lived long in Holland, pursuing my studies at Leyden, and I
spoke Dutch well. The seamen soon knew from whence I came last: they
were curious to inquire into my voyages and course of life. I made up a
story as short and probable as I could, but concealed the greatest
part. I knew many persons in Holland. I was able to invent names for my
parents, whom I pretended to be obscure people in the province of
Gelderland. I would have given the captain (one Theodorus Vangrult)
what he pleased to ask for my voyage to Holland; but understanding I
was a surgeon, he was contented to take half the usual rate, on
condition that I would serve him in the way of my calling. Before we
took shipping, I was often asked by some of the crew, whether I had
performed the ceremony above mentioned. I evaded the question by
general answers; “that I had satisfied the Emperor and court in all
particulars.” However, a malicious rogue of a skipper went to an
officer, and pointing to me, told him, “I had not yet trampled on the
crucifix;” but the other, who had received instructions to let me pass,
gave the rascal twenty strokes on the shoulders with a bamboo; after
which I was no more troubled with such questions.
Nothing happened worth mentioning in this voyage. We sailed with a fair
wind to the Cape of Good Hope, where we staid only to take in fresh
water. On the 10th of April, 1710, we arrived safe at Amsterdam, having
lost only three men by sickness in the voyage, and a fourth, who fell
from the foremast into the sea, not far from the coast of Guinea. From
Amsterdam I soon after set sail for England, in a small vessel
belonging to that city.
On the 16th of April, 1710, we put in at the Downs. I landed next
morning, and saw once more my native country, after an absence of five
years and six months complete. I went straight to Redriff, where I
arrived the same day at two in the afternoon, and found my wife and
family in good health.
PART IV. A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
Maintaining core values while adapting presentation and positioning to survive hostile environments without betraying fundamental integrity.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify who holds real decision-making power versus who just appears to, and how to position requests to appeal to their actual motivations.
Practice This Today
Next time you need something from someone in authority, map out what they truly value versus what they claim to value, then frame your request in terms of their real priorities.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I hope the Dutch, upon this notice, will be curious and able enough to supply my defects."
Context: Gulliver explaining why he hasn't learned more about the struldbrugs
Shows Gulliver's false modesty and his way of deflecting criticism. He's actually quite proud of his discoveries but pretends others could do better.
In Today's Words:
Maybe someone else can fill in the gaps I missed.
"His majesty having often pressed me to accept some employment in his court, and finding me absolutely determined to return to my native country"
Context: The King of Luggnagg trying to keep Gulliver as an advisor
Reveals that Gulliver has value as an outsider with fresh perspectives, but also shows his deep need to return home despite attractive offers.
In Today's Words:
The boss really wanted me to stay, but I was set on going home.
"I desired his general license to excuse me from this ceremony, because of my country and religion"
Context: Requesting exemption from trampling the crucifix in Japan
Shows Gulliver's diplomatic skill - he doesn't refuse outright but requests special consideration. He's learned to navigate authority without direct confrontation.
In Today's Words:
I asked if I could skip this part because of where I'm from and what I believe.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Gulliver adopts a false Dutch merchant identity while preserving his true beliefs
Development
Evolved from earlier identity confusion to strategic identity management
In Your Life:
You might find yourself code-switching at work, presenting different versions of yourself to different audiences while keeping your core intact.
Survival
In This Chapter
Navigating religious persecution through diplomatic maneuvering rather than direct confrontation
Development
Progressed from physical survival to psychological and spiritual survival
In Your Life:
You face moments where speaking your truth could cost your job, relationships, or safety, requiring strategic thinking about when and how to reveal yourself.
Power
In This Chapter
Understanding how to appeal to those in authority by framing requests in terms of their interests
Development
Advanced from observing power to actively navigating power structures
In Your Life:
You might need to present your needs to bosses, doctors, or bureaucrats in ways that align with what they value to get what you need.
Adaptation
In This Chapter
Learning to function within foreign systems without losing personal integrity
Development
Culmination of lessons learned about flexibility across all previous travels
In Your Life:
You constantly adapt to different environments—family dynamics, workplace cultures, social situations—while trying to stay true to yourself.
Homecoming
In This Chapter
Returning to family after transformative experiences that have fundamentally changed him
Development
First true return home in the narrative
In Your Life:
You might struggle with how much you've changed when returning to old relationships, jobs, or places that expect the old version of you.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does Gulliver handle the crucifix test without betraying his beliefs or getting himself killed?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does the Japanese Emperor agree to 'forget' the ceremony for Gulliver when other foreigners must go through it?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today having to present themselves differently to survive in certain environments while keeping their core values intact?
application • medium - 4
If you were in a situation where your honest identity could harm you, how would you decide what parts of yourself to reveal and what to keep private?
application • deep - 5
What does Gulliver's diplomatic solution reveal about the difference between compromising your values and strategically navigating hostile systems?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Strategic Positioning
Think of a current situation where being completely honest about who you are or what you believe might work against you. Map out the power players involved, what they value, and what connections or circumstances might give you leverage. Then design your own 'diplomatic solution' that preserves your integrity while helping you navigate the system successfully.
Consider:
- •What are your absolute non-negotiables versus what's just presentation?
- •Who has the power to make exceptions, and what motivates them?
- •What legitimate reasons could you give for special consideration?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to be strategic about revealing parts of yourself. What did you learn about the difference between hiding who you are and choosing when and how to share your truth?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 28: Mutiny and Strange New Creatures
But Gulliver's wandering spirit cannot be contained by domestic life. Soon he will embark on his most extraordinary voyage yet, to a land where the natural order is completely reversed and he must question everything he believes about civilization, intelligence, and what it truly means to be human.
