Gulliver's Travels
by Jonathan Swift
Table of Contents
Chapter 6 to Chapter 8
Chapter VI
Summary
Gulliver discusses the size of things in Lilliput, noting that everything is scaled to fit the tiny humans. The way the Lilliputians write is another oddity for Gulliver. He notes that they write from one corner to another. Gulliver discovers that the Lilliputians also bury the dead with their heads pointed down. In Lilliput, people are put to death for falsely accusing another Lilliputian of a crime, and deceit is taken as seriously as theft. However, the Lilliputians are also rewarded for good behavior.
Gulliver learns that the entire kingdom—and not biological parents—
raises children. The children attend school and only see their parents twice a year. However, the children of laborers remain home to learn the basics of farm life.
Chapter VII
Summary
Before he travels to Blefuscu, Gulliver learns that he is being charged with treason, public urination, aiding the enemy, disobeying the emperor’s orders, and traveling to Blefuscu. Reldresal has requested that Gulliver’s sentence be reduced; instead of executing him, the Lilliputians decided to gouge out Gulliver’s eyes and starve him to death. Gulliver flees to Blefuscu to avoid this punishment.
Chapter VIII
Summary
Three days pass. Gulliver spots a large boat in the water, and thereby sees an opportunity to escape. He requests that the emperor of Blefuscu help him repair the boat. Meanwhile, the emperor of Lilliput sends messengers to command Gulliver to relinquish his eyesight. Blefuscu’s emperor messages the Lilliputian emperor that Gulliver will be leaving soon, so he should not require Gulliver to lose his eyesight. About a month later, the boat is repaired. Gulliver sails back to England. He absconded with some miniature farm animals in his pocket, and he makes money from showing them.
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