A STRANGE ADVENTURE
THE VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT (GULLIVER’S TRAVELS)
Jonathan Swift
Word Meaning
1. Voyages - long journey by sea
2. Distant - far away, remote.
3. Shipwreck - destruction of a ship at sea
4. Ashore - on the shore.
5. Habitation - a place in which to live; a residence or home.
6. Muttered - spoken in a low voice
7. Astonishment - a feeling of great surprise or wonder.
8. Threatened - in danger of being harmed or damaged
9. Famished - very hungry
10. Meagre – not sufficient
11. Barrels – containers
12. Ascended - moved or went up vertically
13. Carriage - a vehicle with wheels
14. Creep - move slowly and carefully
A.3 From the text.
a. The people of Lilliput
were only six inches tall. Yet they managed to capture Gulliver who was a giant
compared to them. What does this say about the people of Lilliput?
This reveals the quality of the people of Lilliput
that they were hardworking and knew how to achieve their goals. They are
extremely smart and fearless. They could in overnight captivate Gulliver who was
a giant compared to them. Later we come to know they were great mathematicians
and mechanics.
b. Why did the little
people shout in wonder and joy when Gulliver drank from the barrels of water?
The people of Lilliput shouted in wonder and joy when
Gulliver drank from the barrels of water because they were surprised to see his
appetite and thirst due to his size. It was a challenging task to feed with
such huge quantity of food and water. They were successful in it and therefore
happy and joyful.
A.4 From the text.
a. What are
Gulliver’s feeling at this moment?
Gulliver is confused to see people who are not more than
six inches tall who have been able to captivate him successfully.
b. Why do you think
the others followed suit?
The other followed the suit in fright and on the
command of their master.
c. What do you think
TOLGO PHONAC means?
TOLGO PHONAC could mean, ‘Don’t move’.
d. Why were the men
astonished at Gulliver’s appetite?
The men were astonished at Gulliver’s appetite because
he ate all the food they brought for him and was still not feeling full. It was
a huge quantity of food compared to the Lilliputians.
e. Do you think
Gulliver expected the emperor to deny his request? Why/Why not?
Yes, I think Gulliver had already expected the
emperor’s denial towards freeing him because of his giant size. They were all
scared and looked at him as a threat to the village.
A.9 Answer the
following questions.
a. Gulliver says that
this people were great mathematicians and mechanics. Do you agree? Give reasons
for your answer.
Yes, I agree with the statement given by Gulliver
because the people of Lilliput were able to construct a wooden engine for
Gulliver in not time, and the measurements were perfect too.
b. Why do you think
the emperor denied Gulliver’s request for freedom?
The emperor denied Gulliver’s request for freedom
because he thought Gulliver was a threat to him and his country because of his
giant size.
c. When Gulliver
reached the metropolis, thousands of men had gathered to see him. Why do you think
they were curious about him?
The people of the metropolis were curious to see him
because Gulliver was a giant compared to them, and they were excited to see
him.
d. What was
Gulliver able to do when he finally reached the temple?
When Gulliver finally reached the temple, he was able
to move forward and backwards and also in a semicircle as he was tied with
chains.
A. 10
ANSWER IN DETAILS
a. Gesture
play a significant role in the story. Elaborate this statement with relevant
examples.
Gesture plays a significant role in this story. Gulliver
did not know their strange language and without gesture, he would not be able
to communicate what he needed to say. Gesture and sign language does not
require words to utter. For example, when we wish to call a person, without
uttering or saying anything we can wave our hand to get his or her attention
and communicate that we are calling the person. Similarly in this story
Gulliver expresses with gesture that he was hungry and thirsty and wishes to
get freedom.
b. The emperor in this story displays a lot of qualities.
Use descriptive words along with evidence from the story to complete the
graphic organizer on the thoughts, feelings and actions of the emperor.
Emperor’s thought:
He wanted to protect his country from Gulliver that is
why he kept tied and gave him speeches.
Emperor’s feeling:
Scared and confused because he was not sure whether to
trust Gulliver or protect his countrymen.
Emperor’s action:
He took care of Gulliver but did not set him free
either to protect his countrymen.
c. Now using the words from the graphic organizer, write
a character sketch of the emperor.
The emperor of the Lilliput was kind and generous. He was always willing to protect his countrymen from Gulliver if he were a threat. The emperor was the only person who tried to communicate with Gulliver despite his feelings. He listened to Gulliver patiently but took the decision according to his own will and put the safety of his countrymen first. He did not set Gulliver free but rather kept him as prisoner. Due to his giant size, everybody assumed him to be a threat to them and their land. The emperor placed his countrymen before his own.
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