Gulliver's Travels

Gulliver's Travels

Book 3

Luggnagg

Laputa

Glubbdubdrib

Balnibarbi

Trope Third Part

After an attack by pirates, Gulliver visits the island of Laputa and its capital Lagado. He then visits the island of Glubdubdrib, where he meets great historical figures of the past, and finally the island of Luggnagg, where he meets people deeply unhappy because, endowed with immortality, so they can never die.

Chapter I and II

Gulliver returns home and is invited by Captain Robinson to join a voyage to the East Indies as a surgeon. They set sail on August 5, 1706, and after reaching St. George's fort on April 11, 1707, they head to Tonquin. They are pursued by pirates, so they send Gulliver and his crew in a small canoe with provisions to escape. Gulliver spends the first night on a nearby island peacefully, but anxiety keeps him awake the next night. He is eventually rescued by a flying island called Laputa.

Chapter III, IV and V

Gulliver visits Laputa, a flying island controlled by a magnet, used by the King of Balnibarbi to suppress rebellions. The island's residents are obsessed with math and music, making Gulliver feel neglected. He leaves and meets Munodi in Balnibarbi, witnessing chaos caused by impractical innovations. Munodi's resistance to change reflects the clash between tradition and progress.

Chapter VI, VII and VIII

Gulliver visits a disappointing school of politics in Balnibarbi. He sets off for Luggnagg, receiving advice to visit Glubbdubdrib along the way, an island of sorcerers. Gulliver dines with the governor, who speaks Greek. Gulliver asks to speak to Caesar and Brutus. Caesar admires Brutus more. In another encounter, Gulliver invokes historical figures like Homer and Aristotle, who are unaware of their glossators. He then invites Descartes and Gassendi to explain their doctrines to Aristotle, but he criticizes them as outdated. Gulliver also hears about an accusation in Rome and verifies the story with Agrippa, leading him to lose respect for the Roman Empire and contemplate the decline of humanity over the centuries.

Chapter IX, X and XI

In the text, the author leaves Glubbdubdrib and goes to Maldonada, then continues on to Luggnagg; he encounters a unique tradition at the court, involving visitors prostrating themselves and licking the floor, along with a custom of using poisoned powder to eliminate unwanted courtiers. He meets the king and is treated well but declines to stay and expresses a desire to return home to his family after a three-month stay. While in Luggnagg, the author also encounters the "immortals" called Struldbrugs, who are believed to be immortal due to a red mark on their right eyebrow. However, he discovers that Struldbrugs live miserable lives, suffering from aging, memory loss, and social isolation, which makes him question the desirability of immortality. The king playfully suggests bringing Struldbrugs to England, but the author realizes their existence is far from ideal. The author then departs from Luggnagg, travels to Japan, and eventually returns to England on a Dutch ship, reuniting with his family after a long and eventful journey. He reflects on the uniqueness of his experience with the Struldbrugs and how the Emperor of Japan honored his request to avoid a crucifixion ceremony.

Thank you for your attention!

Laura Scaramuzzi Flavia Flaminio Benedetta Atripaldi Alessia Pagliaro