Gulliver’s Travels · Chapter
VII explained
Gulliver learns of a plot to impeach him for high treason in Lilliput, motivated by political enemies like Skyresh Bolgolam and Flimnap.
What happens
Gulliver learns of a plot to impeach him for high treason in Lilliput, motivated by political enemies like Skyresh Bolgolam and Flimnap. He escapes to Blefuscu, where he is received by the emperor and court.
Themes in this chapter
Satire of Politics and Government
The impeachment and political maneuvering in Lilliput satirize the corrupt and self-serving nature of court politics.
Abuse of Power
The Lilliputian ministers and emperor abuse their authority to persecute Gulliver for trivial and fabricated crimes.
Human Pride and Vanity
The petty grievances and personal vendettas of the Lilliputian officials highlight human vanity and pride.
Characters to notice
- Lemuel Gulliver
The protagonist, informed of the impeachment plot, decides to flee to Blefuscu.
- Reldresal
Principal secretary for private affairs and Gulliver's friend; proposes putting out Gulliver's eyes as a merciful punishment.
- Skyresh Bolgolam
High-admiral and Gulliver's mortal enemy; insists on Gulliver's death and accuses him of being a Big-endian.
- Flimnap
High-treasurer, enemy of Gulliver due to his lady; supports the death penalty.
Key passages
“I sometimes thought of standing my trial, for, although I could not deny the facts alleged in the several articles, yet I hoped they would admit of some extenuation.”
Gulliver considered facing the charges, believing he could explain his actions, but feared the biased outcome.
Gulliver's internal conflict about whether to submit to the Lilliputian justice system.
“I seized a large man of war, tied a cable to the prow, and, lifting up the anchors, I stripped myself, put my clothes (together with my coverlet, which I carried under my arm) into the vessel, and, drawing it after me, between wading and swimming arrived at the royal port of Blefuscu.”
Gulliver took a warship, tied it to himself, and swam while towing it to Blefuscu's harbor.
Gulliver's dramatic escape from Lilliput to Blefuscu.