Gulliver’s Travels · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift.
Chapter 1
Gulliver's Travels
The book recounts Lemuel Gulliver's voyages to fantastical lands, beginning with his shipwreck in Lilliput, where he is a giant among tiny people, and continuing to Brobdingnag, where he is a miniature among giants, then to Laputa and its absurd academy, and finally to the land of the Houyhnhnms, where rational horses rule over brutish humans. Through these adventures, Swift satirizes human pride, political corruption, and the follies of science and war.
Chapter 2
Part I: A Voyage to Lilliput
Lemuel Gulliver, a surgeon turned sea captain, embarks on a voyage that ends in shipwreck. He awakens to find himself a prisoner of the tiny Lilliputians, a race of people six inches tall. After proving his goodwill, he is granted limited liberty and becomes a favored guest of the Lilliputian court. He learns of their absurd political conflicts, including a war with the neighboring island of Blefuscu over the proper way to break eggs. Gulliver aids the Lilliputians by capturing the Blefuscu fleet, but his refusal to help enslave their enemies leads to a conspiracy against him. He escapes to Blefuscu and eventually returns to England, carrying tiny livestock as proof of his adventures.
Chapter 3
Chapter I
Gulliver sets out as captain of the Adventurer, but his crew mutinies and confines him to his cabin. He is eventually set ashore on an unknown land, where he encounters the Yahoos, a strange and filthy human-like animal, and then meets two intelligent horses, the Houyhnhnms, who communicate with him and teach him some of their language.
Chapter 4
Chapter II
Gulliver is led by a Houyhnhnm to his house, where he observes the civilized behavior of the horses and is horrified to discover the Yahoos, filthy human-like creatures. He struggles to find suitable food, eventually making bread from oats and milk, and begins to learn the Houyhnhnm language.
Chapter 5
Chapter III
Gulliver diligently learns the Houyhnhnm language with the help of his master and the household. He explains his origins and the nature of his own kind, while the Houyhnhnms marvel at his rationality and appearance, ultimately revealing his clothing as artificial covering.
Chapter 6
Chapter IV
Gulliver continues his discourse with his Houyhnhnm master, explaining human customs, the use of horses in England, and the nature of human society. The master struggles to comprehend concepts like lying, crime, and war, and expresses indignation at the treatment of Houyhnhnms (horses) by humans. Gulliver describes his own background and the desperate circumstances of his crew, leading to a profound critique of human nature.
Chapter 7
V
Gulliver describes the state of England to his Houyhnhnm master, covering the causes of war, the English constitution, and the practice of law. He recounts the Revolution under the Prince of Orange, the long war with France, and the motives for war, including ambition, corruption, and religious differences. He also explains the legal system, highlighting its corruption and the ruin it brings to many. The master expresses horror at human reason being used for such evils.
Chapter 8
Chapter VI: A Continuation of the State of England Under Queen Anne
Gulliver continues his discourse with his Houyhnhnm master, describing the corrupt nature of European ministers of state, the use of money, the medical profession, and the vast inequalities and vices of English society. The Houyhnhnm master struggles to comprehend human greed, disease, and the perversion of reason.
Chapter 9
Chapter VII
Gulliver recounts his master's observations on the constitution and administration of England, as well as his master's comparisons between human behavior and that of the Yahoos. Gulliver reflects on his growing admiration for the Houyhnhnms and his resolution to remain among them, while his master critiques human corruptions, avarice, and irrationality through parallel cases with the Yahoos.
Chapter 10
Chapter VIII
Gulliver continues his account of the Yahoos and the Houyhnhnms, detailing the Yahoos' filthy, malicious, and untrainable nature. He describes an incident where a young female Yahoo attempts to embrace him while bathing, confirming his resemblance to the species. Gulliver then elaborates on the virtues of the Houyhnhnms, their rational governance, education of youth, marriage customs, and their general assembly held every four years to manage resources and population.
Chapter 11
Part II: A Voyage to Brobdingnag
Gulliver embarks on a voyage to Brobdingnag, where he is abandoned and discovered by a giant farmer. He is presented to the queen and becomes a court curiosity, eventually escaping the land of giants.
Chapter 12
Chapter I
Gulliver sets out as captain of the Adventurer, but his crew mutinies and confines him to his cabin. He is eventually set ashore on an unknown land, where he encounters the Yahoos, a strange and filthy human-like animal, and then meets two intelligent horses, the Houyhnhnms, who communicate with him and teach him some of their language.
Chapter 13
Chapter II
Gulliver is led by a Houyhnhnm to his house, where he observes the civilized behavior of the horses and is horrified to discover the Yahoos, filthy human-like creatures. He struggles to find suitable food, eventually making bread from oats and milk, and begins to learn the Houyhnhnm language.
Chapter 14
Chapter III
Gulliver diligently learns the Houyhnhnm language with the help of his master and the household. He explains his origins and the nature of his own kind, while the Houyhnhnms marvel at his rationality and appearance, ultimately revealing his clothing as artificial covering.
Chapter 15
Chapter IV
Gulliver continues his discourse with his Houyhnhnm master, explaining human customs, the use of horses in England, and the nature of human society. The master struggles to comprehend concepts like lying, crime, and war, and expresses indignation at the treatment of Houyhnhnms (horses) by humans. Gulliver describes his own background and the desperate circumstances of his crew, leading to a profound critique of human nature.
Chapter 16
V
Gulliver describes the state of England to his Houyhnhnm master, covering the causes of war, the English constitution, and the practice of law. He recounts the Revolution under the Prince of Orange, the long war with France, and the motives for war, including ambition, corruption, and religious differences. He also explains the legal system, highlighting its corruption and the ruin it brings to many. The master expresses horror at human reason being used for such evils.
Chapter 17
Chapter VI: A Continuation of the State of England Under Queen Anne
Gulliver continues his discourse with his Houyhnhnm master, describing the corrupt nature of European ministers of state, the use of money, the medical profession, and the vast inequalities and vices of English society. The Houyhnhnm master struggles to comprehend human greed, disease, and the perversion of reason.
Chapter 18
Chapter VII
Gulliver recounts his master's observations on the constitution and administration of England, as well as his master's comparisons between human behavior and that of the Yahoos. Gulliver reflects on his growing admiration for the Houyhnhnms and his resolution to remain among them, while his master critiques human corruptions, avarice, and irrationality through parallel cases with the Yahoos.
Chapter 19
Chapter VIII
Gulliver continues his account of the Yahoos and the Houyhnhnms, detailing the Yahoos' filthy, malicious, and untrainable nature. He describes an incident where a young female Yahoo attempts to embrace him while bathing, confirming his resemblance to the species. Gulliver then elaborates on the virtues of the Houyhnhnms, their rational governance, education of youth, marriage customs, and their general assembly held every four years to manage resources and population.
Chapter 20
Part III: A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib, and Japan
Gulliver embarks on his third voyage, which takes him to the flying island of Laputa, the land of Balnibarbi, the island of sorcerers Glubbdubdrib, and the kingdoms of Luggnagg and Japan. He encounters absurd scientists, magicians who summon the dead, and the immortal Struldbruggs, all while continuing his satirical observations of human folly.
Chapter 21
Chapter I
Gulliver sets out as captain of the Adventurer, but his crew mutinies and confines him to his cabin. He is eventually set ashore on an unknown land, where he encounters the Yahoos, a strange and filthy human-like animal, and then meets two intelligent horses, the Houyhnhnms, who communicate with him and teach him some of their language.
Chapter 22
Chapter II
Gulliver is led by a Houyhnhnm to his house, where he observes the civilized behavior of the horses and is horrified to discover the Yahoos, filthy human-like creatures. He struggles to find suitable food, eventually making bread from oats and milk, and begins to learn the Houyhnhnm language.
Chapter 23
Chapter III
Gulliver diligently learns the Houyhnhnm language with the help of his master and the household. He explains his origins and the nature of his own kind, while the Houyhnhnms marvel at his rationality and appearance, ultimately revealing his clothing as artificial covering.
Chapter 24
Chapter IV
Gulliver continues his discourse with his Houyhnhnm master, explaining human customs, the use of horses in England, and the nature of human society. The master struggles to comprehend concepts like lying, crime, and war, and expresses indignation at the treatment of Houyhnhnms (horses) by humans. Gulliver describes his own background and the desperate circumstances of his crew, leading to a profound critique of human nature.
Chapter 25
V
Gulliver describes the state of England to his Houyhnhnm master, covering the causes of war, the English constitution, and the practice of law. He recounts the Revolution under the Prince of Orange, the long war with France, and the motives for war, including ambition, corruption, and religious differences. He also explains the legal system, highlighting its corruption and the ruin it brings to many. The master expresses horror at human reason being used for such evils.
Chapter 26
Chapter VI: A Continuation of the State of England Under Queen Anne
Gulliver continues his discourse with his Houyhnhnm master, describing the corrupt nature of European ministers of state, the use of money, the medical profession, and the vast inequalities and vices of English society. The Houyhnhnm master struggles to comprehend human greed, disease, and the perversion of reason.
Chapter 27
Chapter VII
Gulliver recounts his master's observations on the constitution and administration of England, as well as his master's comparisons between human behavior and that of the Yahoos. Gulliver reflects on his growing admiration for the Houyhnhnms and his resolution to remain among them, while his master critiques human corruptions, avarice, and irrationality through parallel cases with the Yahoos.
Chapter 28
Chapter VIII
Gulliver continues his account of the Yahoos and the Houyhnhnms, detailing the Yahoos' filthy, malicious, and untrainable nature. He describes an incident where a young female Yahoo attempts to embrace him while bathing, confirming his resemblance to the species. Gulliver then elaborates on the virtues of the Houyhnhnms, their rational governance, education of youth, marriage customs, and their general assembly held every four years to manage resources and population.
Chapter 29
Chapter IX
Gulliver's master reports on a grand assembly of the Houyhnhnms where the debate over exterminating the Yahoos is resumed. Gulliver's master proposes an expedient borrowed from Gulliver: castrating the younger Yahoos to render them tame and eventually end the species. The chapter also describes the learning, buildings, burials, and language of the Houyhnhnms, noting their lack of letters, traditional knowledge, and absence of evil words except those borrowed from the Yahoos.
Chapter 30
Chapter X
Gulliver describes his idyllic life among the Houyhnhnms, his admiration for their virtues, and his growing disgust with humanity. His master informs him that the Houyhnhnm assembly has ordered his departure, fearing he might corrupt other Yahoos. Devastated, Gulliver falls into a swoon but eventually submits, building a canoe with the help of a fellow-servant and setting out to sea.
Chapter 31
Chapter XI
Gulliver departs from Houyhnhnm Land, sails to New Holland, is wounded by natives, rescued by Portuguese captain Pedro de Mendez, and reluctantly returns to England where he struggles with his misanthropy and disgust toward his own family.
Chapter 32
Part IV: A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnhnms
Gulliver embarks on another voyage, but a mutiny leads to his abandonment on an unknown land. He discovers a society of rational, noble horses called Houyhnhnms, who rule over brutish, human-like creatures called Yahoos. Gulliver learns the Houyhnhnm language and comes to admire their reason and virtue, while growing increasingly disgusted with the Yahoos, whom he recognizes as resembling humanity. Eventually, the Houyhnhnms expel Gulliver as a potential threat, and he returns to England, deeply misanthropic and unable to tolerate the company of other humans.
Chapter 33
Chapter I
Gulliver sets out as captain of the Adventurer, but his crew mutinies and confines him to his cabin. He is eventually set ashore on an unknown land, where he encounters the Yahoos, a strange and filthy human-like animal, and then meets two intelligent horses, the Houyhnhnms, who communicate with him and teach him some of their language.
Chapter 34
Chapter II
Gulliver is led by a Houyhnhnm to his house, where he observes the civilized behavior of the horses and is horrified to discover the Yahoos, filthy human-like creatures. He struggles to find suitable food, eventually making bread from oats and milk, and begins to learn the Houyhnhnm language.
Chapter 35
Chapter III
Gulliver diligently learns the Houyhnhnm language with the help of his master and the household. He explains his origins and the nature of his own kind, while the Houyhnhnms marvel at his rationality and appearance, ultimately revealing his clothing as artificial covering.
Chapter 36
Chapter IV
Gulliver continues his discourse with his Houyhnhnm master, explaining human customs, the use of horses in England, and the nature of human society. The master struggles to comprehend concepts like lying, crime, and war, and expresses indignation at the treatment of Houyhnhnms (horses) by humans. Gulliver describes his own background and the desperate circumstances of his crew, leading to a profound critique of human nature.
Chapter 37
V
Gulliver describes the state of England to his Houyhnhnm master, covering the causes of war, the English constitution, and the practice of law. He recounts the Revolution under the Prince of Orange, the long war with France, and the motives for war, including ambition, corruption, and religious differences. He also explains the legal system, highlighting its corruption and the ruin it brings to many. The master expresses horror at human reason being used for such evils.
Chapter 38
Chapter VI: A Continuation of the State of England Under Queen Anne
Gulliver continues his discourse with his Houyhnhnm master, describing the corrupt nature of European ministers of state, the use of money, the medical profession, and the vast inequalities and vices of English society. The Houyhnhnm master struggles to comprehend human greed, disease, and the perversion of reason.
Chapter 39
Chapter VII
Gulliver recounts his master's observations on the constitution and administration of England, as well as his master's comparisons between human behavior and that of the Yahoos. Gulliver reflects on his growing admiration for the Houyhnhnms and his resolution to remain among them, while his master critiques human corruptions, avarice, and irrationality through parallel cases with the Yahoos.
Chapter 40
Chapter VIII
Gulliver continues his account of the Yahoos and the Houyhnhnms, detailing the Yahoos' filthy, malicious, and untrainable nature. He describes an incident where a young female Yahoo attempts to embrace him while bathing, confirming his resemblance to the species. Gulliver then elaborates on the virtues of the Houyhnhnms, their rational governance, education of youth, marriage customs, and their general assembly held every four years to manage resources and population.
Chapter 41
Chapter IX
Gulliver's master reports on a grand assembly of the Houyhnhnms where the debate over exterminating the Yahoos is resumed. Gulliver's master proposes an expedient borrowed from Gulliver: castrating the younger Yahoos to render them tame and eventually end the species. The chapter also describes the learning, buildings, burials, and language of the Houyhnhnms, noting their lack of letters, traditional knowledge, and absence of evil words except those borrowed from the Yahoos.
Chapter 42
Chapter X
Gulliver describes his idyllic life among the Houyhnhnms, his admiration for their virtues, and his growing disgust with humanity. His master informs him that the Houyhnhnm assembly has ordered his departure, fearing he might corrupt other Yahoos. Devastated, Gulliver falls into a swoon but eventually submits, building a canoe with the help of a fellow-servant and setting out to sea.
Chapter 43
Chapter XI
Gulliver departs from Houyhnhnm Land, sails to New Holland, is wounded by natives, rescued by Portuguese captain Pedro de Mendez, and reluctantly returns to England where he struggles with his misanthropy and disgust toward his own family.
Chapter 44
Chapter XII: The Author's Veracity and Final Reflections
Gulliver concludes his narrative by asserting his commitment to truth and his disdain for the corrupting influence of pride, which he observed among the Yahoos and contrasts with the Houyhnhnms' government of reason. He defends his work as an honest account meant to instruct mankind, criticizes the dishonesty of other travel writers, and reflects on the folly of colonial conquest, praising the virtues of the Houyhnhnms while lamenting the vices of humanity. He takes his final leave of the reader, offering advice for a virtuous life.
Chapter 45
Endnotes
The endnotes provide editorial annotations and textual variants for Gulliver's Travels, including explanations of archaic terms, references to British locations, and notes on revisions made by Dr. Hawksworth in 1766 compared to the original 1726 editions.
Chapter 46
List of Illustrations
This chapter presents a list of illustrations, including a description of a large square wooden frame divided into 16 rows and 16 columns of small squares, each containing a different symbol, with handles for manipulation.
