In Gulliver’s Travels, there are two nations which have been at odds with each other since before Gulliver arrived in Lilliput: Lilliput and Blefuscu. They’re fighting because of an event which Gulliver feels is ridiculous, but he concedes to assist Lilliput and the emperor. The conflict began when a citizen cracked an egg from the large end, after the emperor declared that all eggs must be cracked from the small end. Although Gulliver does not feel that it is right to intervene, he does anyway. He helps to destroy Blefuscu’s army by stealing most of their ships and bringing them back to Lilliput. The emperor wants Gulliver to take the rest of the ships so that he can conquer Blefuscu and make them his subjects, but Gulliver convinces the emperor not to do so, because he is opposed to the injustice that this would incur. This causes many people to turn against Gulliver and call for his execution, which he eventually does not face. Eventually, Blefuscu surrenders to Lilliput, and the people of Blefuscu want Gulliver to come visit them.
Even though Gulliver thinks the dispute is silly, he takes it seriously. He fought because he was asked to help Lilliput, which he felt obligated to do, but also because he knew he could help resolve the conflict with minimal injury to either side. Some values which are revealed during this situation are an inability to watch others endure slavery and a willingness to put himself into a dangerous situation to stop people from getting into a battle which would cause harm.
Monday, September 23, 2019
Gulliver in Gulliver's Travels is also a warrior. What battles has he faced, and what are his values? Did he win those battles or lose them, and why did he fight?
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