# Chapter X: The Struldbrugs of Luggnagg explained — Gulliver’s Travels

> Chapter companion for Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift.

## What happens

Gulliver learns about the struldbrugs, a race of immortals in Luggnagg, and initially expresses great enthusiasm for the prospect of eternal life. However, the Luggnaggians correct his naive optimism by describing the miserable reality of the struldbrugs, who suffer from the follies and infirmities of old age without the relief of death. Gulliver's idealized vision of immortality is thoroughly debunked.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Pride and Vanity

Gulliver's initial pride in imagining his own perfect immortal life is contrasted with the harsh reality of the struldbrugs' miserable existence, highlighting human vanity in desiring eternal life.

### Misanthropy and Disillusionment

The chapter reveals the disillusionment that comes with the realization that immortality, far from being a blessing, leads to a life of misery, envy, and decay, reinforcing a misanthropic view of human nature.

### Satire of Science and Learning

Gulliver's plans to accumulate knowledge and become an 'oracle of the nation' through immortality are mocked, as the struldbrugs actually suffer from poor memory and are incapable of learning or friendship.

## Character check-ins

### Lemuel Gulliver

Gulliver is the narrator and protagonist, who enthusiastically imagines the benefits of immortality before being corrected by the Luggnaggians.

## Key lines

> I cried out, as in a rapture, "Happy nation, where every child hath at least a chance for being immortal! Happy people, who enjoy so many living examples of ancient virtue, and have masters ready to instruct them in the wisdom of all former ages!"

Gulliver exclaims joyfully that the Luggnaggians are fortunate because their children might become immortal, and they have living examples of ancient virtue to learn from.

_Gulliver's initial naive enthusiasm for immortality is expressed here, before he learns the truth about the struldbrugs._

> They were not only opinionative, peevish, covetous, morose, vain, talkative, but incapable of friendship, and dead to all natural affection, which never descended below their grandchildren.

The struldbrugs are described as stubborn, irritable, greedy, gloomy, conceited, and talkative, and they are unable to form friendships or feel affection for anyone beyond their grandchildren.

_This passage details the negative traits of the struldbrugs, illustrating the misery of their immortal existence._

> The least miserable among them appear to be those who turn to dotage, and entirely lose their memories; these meet with more pity and assistance, because they want many bad qualities which abound in others.

The least unhappy struldbrugs are those who become senile and forgetful, as they are pitied and helped more because they lack the many bad qualities that others have.

_This ironic observation suggests that losing one's memory is a relief for the immortals, as it frees them from their worst vices._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gulliver_s_travels_se/chapters/x
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gulliver_s_travels_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gulliver_s_travels_se/chapters