Floating Island of Laputa
Dear Literary Enthusiasts!
Welcome back to our exciting journey through Jonathan Swift’s "Gulliver’s Travels." Last time, we saw Gulliver escaping from the land of giants, Brobdingnag. Today, we start a new adventure as Gulliver finds himself in the strange and fascinating land of Laputa.
A New Journey Begins
After returning home from Brobdingnag, Gulliver feels restless. Even though his family wants him to stay, he decides to set sail again. This time, he joins a ship heading to the East Indies, hoping to discover new things.
But the sea is unpredictable. A huge storm hits the ship, and Gulliver is separated from the crew. Alone in a small boat, he drifts in the ocean for days.
The Floating Island of Laputa
Just when Gulliver thinks he might never see land again, he spots something unusual on the horizon. As he gets closer, he sees it’s a floating island called Laputa. This island hovers high above the sea, held up by magnets.
Amazed, Gulliver signals to the Laputians, who lower a chain to pull him up. As he rises, he marvels at the advanced technology keeping the island afloat
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Life in Laputa
On Laputa, Gulliver meets the strange inhabitants. They are deeply interested in mathematics and music, often lost in their own thoughts. They wear clothes with symbols and instruments on them.
The Laputians are so absent-minded that they need "flappers," servants who gently hit them with bladders filled with pebbles to get their attention.
Gulliver learns that the Laputians are obsessed with the movement of stars and math problems. They neglect practical things like farming and governing, causing problems for the people living below on the land of Balnibarbi.
The Royal Audience
The King of Laputa is curious about Gulliver and invites him to the palace. Gulliver tries to talk to the King about European politics and culture, but the King is more interested in math and music. Gulliver realizes that while the Laputians are very smart, their lives are chaotic because they ignore practical matters.
Exploring Balnibarbi
Gulliver gets permission to visit Balnibarbi, the land below Laputa. There, he meets Lord Munodi, a sensible nobleman. Lord Munodi explains that the Laputians’ neglect causes suffering for the people of Balnibarbi.
Gulliver sees several crazy projects run by the Laputians. He finds these experiments both funny and sad, as they are useless and add to the people’s hardships.
The Strange Projects of the Laputians
Extracting Sunbeams from Cucumbers
One of the first projects Gulliver witnesses is an attempt to extract sunbeams from cucumbers. The Projector in charge is a serious-looking man, deeply absorbed in his work. He explains to Gulliver that the goal is to capture the sun’s rays and store them in bottles for use during cloudy days.
The process involves growing cucumbers under special conditions, slicing them into thin strips, and laying them out in the sun. After several hours, the strips are placed into large glass containers, where the Projector claims the sunbeams will be trapped.
Gulliver can’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of this experiment. He politely asks the Projector if he has been successful. The Projector proudly shows him several bottles, but when Gulliver looks inside, he sees nothing but empty glass. The Projector assures him that the sunbeams are there, though they are invisible to the naked eye.
Softening Marble for Pillows
Next, Gulliver is taken to see another Projector who is working on softening marble to make comfortable pillows. Gulliver watches as the Projector repeatedly hammers and soaks the marble in various solutions. Despite the Projector’s enthusiasm, the marble remains as hard as ever. The Projector, however, remains optimistic and continues his work, undeterred by the lack of progress.
Building Houses from the Roof Down
Another project Gulliver observes involves building houses starting from the roof down to the foundation. The Projector in charge believes this method will save time and materials.
Gulliver watches as a group of workers struggles to balance a fully constructed roof on tall poles. The workers are supposed to build the walls and foundation beneath it. The whole process is chaotic, and the roof repeatedly collapses. Gulliver notices the frustration of the workers, but the Projector insists they just need to refine their technique.
Turning Ice into Gunpowder
One of the most dangerous experiments Gulliver sees is an attempt to turn ice into gunpowder.
Gulliver stands at a safe distance as the Projector mixes ice with various powders and liquids. After several attempts, the ice merely melts into water, causing no explosions. Despite the clear failure, the Projector remains confident that with more trials, success is imminent.
Satire and Reflection
Swift uses these scenes to poke fun at impractical intellectuals who ignore common sense. The Laputians’ obsession with abstract knowledge highlights the foolishness of ignoring practical needs. Through Gulliver’s experiences, Swift comments on the society of his time, stressing the importance of balancing theory with practice.
Preparing for the Next Adventure
Gulliver decides to leave Laputa and Balnibarbi. With Lord Munodi’s help, he plans to visit the nearby island of Glubbdubdrib, known for its sorcerers and mysteries.
In our next edition, we will explore Gulliver’s adventures in Glubbdubdrib, where he meets ghosts and learns about history and humanity.
Warm regards,
Chanchal Bala
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