#1) The Big-Endians and the Little-Endians: This (quite humorous) struggle has apparently been a major separation for the Lilliputians for a long time. At the time, the Emperor of Lilliput outlawed people breaking their eggs on the big end, but some Lilliputians became angry about this law and fled to the Big-Endian haven of Blefuscu. I find this conflict to be homologous to the differences between religious sects (such as Sunni Islam vs. Shiite Islam and Protestantism and Catholicism).
#2) The Lilliputians being "very foreign" to Gulliver: Gulliver is a mountain compared to the Lilliputians and is clearly superior to them in physical power. He also speaks a language that the Lilliputians don't understand. Lastly, the Lilliputians have strange customs that Gulliver notices when observing their lifestyle. I feel, as a whole, these differences are somewhat symbolic of the imperialistic invasions of the European countries to Africa (Africa being Lilliput and Blefuscu). Gulliver (Europe) lands in Lilliput and has the power to destroy all of Lilliput (Africa), but chooses to "help" them instead, despite the prevalent differences in their cultures.
#3) Gulliver's stomach: I believe that Gulliver's large appetite represents "burden" and "responsibility" for the Lilliputians. They constantly have to feed Gulliver hundreds of their livestock and gallons of their wines in order to satiate his hunger, and this almost gives the Lilliputians a famine. However, Gulliver is a welcomed guest and "hero" for them as so the Lilliputians feel obligated to help him in return.
#4) The chains and ropes holding Gulliver: I find the chains/ropes that hold Gulliver near the palace and on the ground symbolize "power" and "conquest." Despite the minuscule size of the Lilliputians, they were able to restrain and control Gulliver, which shows their dedicated strength and abilities.
#5) Gulliver's ship: The ship that Gulliver uses to conduct his adventures most likely symbolizes "opportunity" and event the " The American Dream." Gulliver went out to sea in search of adventure and possible profit, which accurately describes the mentality of early immigrants to other countries.
I have my own observations about several motifs and symbols in this first chapter as well:
ReplyDelete1. The Lilliputians, represented with an arrogant and patronizing character, is subtly satirized by Swift. The Lilliputians can be said to resemble human nature: overly egotistical, superficially conscious of self, and unaware of their actual puny traits.
2. Many two-sided conflicts are made in the books: Lilliput vs. Blefuscu, Big-Endians vs. Little-Endians, Tramecksans vs. Slamecksans (High Heels vs. Low Heels). Matching that with what was occurring in Europe at the time, numerous conflicts appeared between England in France in small petty wars, the Protestants and Catholics in larger pan-Europe wars, and the Tories and Whigs of the English Revolution. The small, petty differences between the two groups and their beliefs are similar to those of rival European denominations.
3. The crazy customs of the Lilliputians and Blefuscans represent the outlandish traditions of Europe during the period which this book was written. Although Gulliver admits the legitimacy of a few laws, the crazy customs were heavily satirized upon by Swift in his criticisms of the customs.