Gulliver's Travels
by Jonathan Swift
Table of Contents
Chapter 3 to Chapter 5
Chapter III
Summary
Gulliver grows thin under the strain of his performances. The farmer hopes to make a larger profit before Gulliver perishes. The farmer receives an order from the queen to bring Gulliver to her courts. The queen, who is quite pleased with Gulliver, buys him from the farmer and asks that Glumdalclitch remain with Gulliver in the palace. Although the queen appreciates Gulliver’s intelligence, the king’s scholars don’t think that Gulliver will be able to fend for himself.
Furthermore, Gulliver’s size continues to be problematic. No one believes that there are others in proportion to his size, and the king thinks that people so small should not consider themselves important enough for politics and intellectual matters. Also unhappy is the queen’s dwarf, who is accustomed to being the smallest person. To show his disgust, the dwarf drops Gulliver into a cream bowl and later puts him in a marrowbone.
Chapter IV
Summary
After spending some time in Brobdingnag, Gulliver realizes that the European maps he is accustomed to must be flawed; the land of Brobdingnag is at least 6,000 miles long. However, the rough waters prevent trade with other nations. Gulliver is still on display in Brobdingnag, but he feels better after seeing that the largest temple in the land is 3,000 feet, which is actually smaller than England’s largest steeple.
Chapter V
Summary
The dwarf, still unhappy with Gulliver, shakes an apple tree. One apple hits Gulliver in the back, which knocks him over. A hailstorm also causes Gulliver some consternation. After being attacked by the hailstones, Gulliver cannot leave the house for a week and a half.
Gulliver and Glumdalclitch often visit the ladies of the court, who are quite amused with Gulliver. They like taking off his clothes and placing him near their enormous breasts. Instead of...
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