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1st 6 weeks 1st Semester

Above: Gulliver and the Lilliputians

Above: The Lilliputians tie Gulliver down.

Above: An original book cover of Gulliver's Travels

Monday December 15th-Friday December 19th

Due THIS lab day: Typed page regarding your favorite piece of C17 poetry (or poet).

In-Class: Final presentations on C17 poetry. Test on seventeenth century poetry. 

This is the week before Christmas, so we'll read and then watch an excerpt from "Gulliver's Travels" with any time remaining. This is a famous piece of fiction written by Jonathon Swift that parodies the power of government and reflects the general public's concern over excessive control.

Assignments: Read the information about The Restoration, p. 433-442 in your text books and be prepared for a test on this information. The test will be given NEXT lab day, (when you get back from break), please be prepared.

Links: Information about Gulliver's Travels

          The full version, online

Background Information: Gulliver's adventure in Lilliput begins when he wakes after his shipwreck to find himself bound by innumerable tiny threads and addressed by tiny captors who are in awe of him but fiercely protective of their kingdom. They are not afraid to use violence against Gulliver, though their arrows are little more than pinpricks. But overall, they are hospitable, risking famine in their land by feeding Gulliver, who consumes more food than a thousand Lilliputians combined could. Gulliver is taken into the capital city by a vast wagon the Lilliputians have specially built. He is presented to the emperor, who is entertained by Gulliver, just as Gulliver is flattered by the attention of royalty. Eventually Gulliver becomes a national resource, used by the army in its war against the people of Blefuscu, whom the Lilliputians hate for doctrinal differences concerning the proper way to crack eggs. But things change when Gulliver is convicted of treason for putting out a fire in the royal palace with his urine, and he is condemned to be shot in the eyes with poisoned arrows. The emperor eventually pardons him and he goes to Blefuscu, where he is able to repair a boat he finds and finally set sail for England.