Summary
Gulliver pulls off an impossible military victory by wading into the ocean and single-handedly capturing the entire enemy fleet of Blefuscu. Using makeshift hooks and cables, he drags fifty warships back to Lilliput while arrows bounce off his glasses. The emperor is thrilled and gives him the highest honor in the land. But when the emperor wants Gulliver to destroy Blefuscu completely and enslave its people, Gulliver refuses, saying he won't help destroy a free nation. This principled stand immediately creates powerful enemies at court who whisper that Gulliver is disloyal. Later, when the empress's apartment catches fire, Gulliver saves the palace by urinating on the flames—the only liquid available in sufficient quantity. Though he prevents disaster, he's technically broken a law against relieving oneself on palace grounds, and the disgusted empress vows revenge. Swift shows us how quickly a hero can become a target. Gulliver's military success makes him valuable but also threatening to those in power. His moral stance against genocide marks him as dangerous to the emperor's ambitions. Even his life-saving act becomes a liability because it offends royal sensibilities. The chapter reveals how political systems punish integrity and turn good deeds into weapons against you. Gulliver learns that in corrupt courts, your greatest services mean nothing if you won't enable the worst impulses of those in charge.
Coming Up in Chapter 6
The political intrigue against Gulliver intensifies as his enemies at court begin plotting his downfall. His refusal to be the emperor's perfect weapon will soon have deadly consequences.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The author, by an extraordinary stratagem, prevents an invasion. A high title of honour is conferred upon him. Ambassadors arrive from the emperor of Blefuscu, and sue for peace. The empress’s apartment on fire by an accident; the author instrumental in saving the rest of the palace. The empire of Blefuscu is an island situated to the north-east of Lilliput, from which it is parted only by a channel of eight hundred yards wide. I had not yet seen it, and upon this notice of an intended invasion, I avoided appearing on that side of the coast, for fear of being discovered, by some of the enemy’s ships, who had received no intelligence of me; all intercourse between the two empires having been strictly forbidden during the war, upon pain of death, and an embargo laid by our emperor upon all vessels whatsoever. I communicated to his majesty a project I had formed of seizing the enemy’s whole fleet; which, as our scouts assured us, lay at anchor in the harbour, ready to sail with the first fair wind. I consulted the most experienced seamen upon the depth of the channel, which they had often plumbed; who told me, that in the middle, at high-water, it was seventy _glumgluffs_ deep, which is about six feet of European measure; and the rest of it fifty _glumgluffs_ at most. I walked towards the north-east coast, over against Blefuscu, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my small perspective glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor, consisting of about fifty men of war, and a great number of transports: I then came back to my house, and gave orders (for which I had a warrant) for a great quantity of the strongest cable and bars of iron. The cable was about as thick as packthread and the bars of the length and size of a knitting-needle. I trebled the cable to make it stronger, and for the same reason I twisted three of the iron bars together, bending the extremities into a hook. Having thus fixed fifty hooks to as many cables, I went back to the north-east coast, and putting off my coat, shoes, and stockings, walked into the sea, in my leathern jerkin, about half an hour before high water. I waded with what haste I could, and swam in the middle about thirty yards, till I felt ground. I arrived at the fleet in less than half an hour. The enemy was so frightened when they saw me, that they leaped out of their ships, and swam to shore, where there could not be fewer than thirty thousand souls. I then took my tackling, and, fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of each, I tied all the cords together at the end. While I was thus employed, the enemy discharged several thousand arrows, many of which stuck in my hands and face, and, beside the excessive smart, gave me much disturbance in my work....
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Hero's Trap - When Success Makes You the Target
Systems reward your success until your capabilities make you powerful enough to threaten those in charge.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when your competence threatens those above you and predict their response patterns.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone gets punished not for failing, but for succeeding in ways that make authority uncomfortable.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Satire
A literary technique that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human behavior and institutions. Swift uses the tiny Lilliputians to mock the petty politics and absurd ceremonies of real governments.
Modern Usage:
We see satire everywhere today in political comedy shows, memes, and social media posts that ridicule politicians and institutions.
Court intrigue
The scheming, plotting, and backstabbing that happens around powerful people. In royal courts, ambitious courtiers would form factions and plot against rivals to gain favor with the ruler.
Modern Usage:
Office politics work the same way - people form cliques, spread rumors, and undermine colleagues to get ahead with the boss.
Political allegory
A story where characters and events represent real political figures and situations. Swift's war between Lilliput and Blefuscu represents the ongoing conflicts between England and France.
Modern Usage:
Movies like The Hunger Games or Animal Farm use fictional scenarios to comment on real political systems and power structures.
Imperial ambition
The desire of rulers to expand their power by conquering and controlling other nations. The Emperor of Lilliput wants to enslave Blefuscu completely, not just defeat them.
Modern Usage:
We see this when corporations try to destroy competitors completely instead of just winning market share, or when countries seek regime change rather than just victory.
Moral compromise
Being pressured to abandon your principles to please those in power. Gulliver refuses to help destroy a free nation even though it would secure his position at court.
Modern Usage:
This happens when employees are asked to lie to customers, cover up problems, or participate in unethical practices to keep their jobs.
Diplomatic immunity
The protection given to ambassadors and diplomats that prevents them from being arrested or harmed while conducting official business between nations.
Modern Usage:
Today this still exists - foreign diplomats can't be prosecuted for crimes in the countries where they serve, which sometimes creates controversy.
Characters in This Chapter
Gulliver
Protagonist facing moral dilemma
He achieves military victory but refuses to help commit genocide, showing integrity over ambition. His principled stand immediately creates enemies who will work to destroy him.
Modern Equivalent:
The whistleblower who reports company wrongdoing and gets targeted for retaliation
Emperor of Lilliput
Corrupt ruler
Initially grateful for Gulliver's service, he quickly reveals his true nature by demanding total destruction of the enemy nation. He turns cold when Gulliver won't enable his worst impulses.
Modern Equivalent:
The boss who wants you to do something illegal or unethical and punishes you when you refuse
Empress
Vengeful authority figure
Though Gulliver saves her palace from burning down, she's disgusted by his method and vows revenge. She represents how good deeds can be twisted against you.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who finds fault with how you helped them and holds a grudge instead of showing gratitude
Blefuscu Ambassadors
Peace negotiators
They come seeking peace after their fleet is captured, showing how diplomatic solutions become possible when military aggression fails.
Modern Equivalent:
The opposing lawyers who come to the settlement table after realizing they can't win in court
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I would never be an instrument of bringing a free and brave people into slavery."
Context: When the Emperor demands he destroy Blefuscu completely
This moment defines Gulliver's character and seals his fate. He chooses moral principle over political advantage, knowing it will cost him. Swift shows how integrity threatens corrupt power structures.
In Today's Words:
I'm not going to help you destroy innocent people just because you want more power.
"His majesty desired I would take some other opportunity of bringing all the rest of his enemy's ships into his ports."
Context: The Emperor's reaction to Gulliver's refusal to continue the attack
The Emperor's polite language masks his fury and disappointment. This diplomatic phrasing shows how power disguises its demands, but the threat is clear.
In Today's Words:
The boss was clearly angry that I wouldn't cross the line he wanted me to cross.
"I was privately assured, that the empress, conceiving the greatest abhorrence of what I had done, removed to the most distant side of the court."
Context: After Gulliver saves the palace by urinating on the fire
Despite saving her home, the Empress is disgusted by the method. This shows how good intentions and results mean nothing if the process offends those in power.
In Today's Words:
Even though I solved the problem, she was grossed out by how I did it and started avoiding me.
Thematic Threads
Power
In This Chapter
Gulliver's military success gives him influence that immediately threatens the emperor's absolute control
Development
Evolved from earlier themes about size and perspective to show how capability creates political danger
In Your Life:
Your expertise at work can make you threatening to managers who prefer compliant mediocrity
Moral Courage
In This Chapter
Gulliver refuses to enable genocide despite pressure and personal risk
Development
Introduced here as Gulliver faces his first major ethical test in Lilliput
In Your Life:
Standing up for what's right often costs you more than staying silent
Bureaucratic Absurdity
In This Chapter
Saving the palace by urinating on it becomes a legal violation because it breaks protocol
Development
Builds on earlier observations about Lilliputian politics to show how rules matter more than results
In Your Life:
Following proper channels can be more important than solving actual problems in many organizations
Success as Liability
In This Chapter
Gulliver's greatest achievements become sources of suspicion and eventual persecution
Development
New theme showing how capability creates enemies in corrupt systems
In Your Life:
Being too good at your job can make you a target for those who feel threatened by competence
Political Retaliation
In This Chapter
Court officials immediately begin plotting against Gulliver after his refusal to enable conquest
Development
Introduced here as the consequence of moral stands in power structures
In Your Life:
Speaking truth to power often results in subtle punishment and exclusion from opportunities
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Gulliver's military success immediately create problems for him at court?
analysis • surface - 2
What's the real reason the emperor's advisors turn against Gulliver after he refuses to destroy Blefuscu completely?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this pattern of competent people becoming targets when they won't go along with questionable demands?
application • medium - 4
If you were in Gulliver's position, how would you balance doing the right thing with protecting yourself from retaliation?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about why systems often punish their most capable and principled members?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Power Dynamics
Think of a situation where you've been successful at work, school, or in your family. Draw a simple map showing who benefited from your success and who might have felt threatened by it. Then identify what happened when you had to make a choice between going along with something you disagreed with versus standing your ground.
Consider:
- •Success often shifts power relationships in ways you don't immediately see
- •The people who celebrate your wins may turn on you when your values conflict with their goals
- •Even saving the day can backfire if you don't follow the unwritten rules
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when doing the right thing or speaking up created unexpected problems for you. What would you do differently now, knowing what you know about how power works?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 6: The Lilliputian Way of Life
As the story unfolds, you'll explore different societies can challenge your assumptions about what's 'normal', while uncovering character matters more than talent in leadership positions. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.