Wednesday, 17 September 2014

What does the king of Brobdingnag discuss with Gulliver?

The king of Brobdingnag discusses England, Gulliver's home, with Gulliver at great length.  Gulliver delights in telling him about the British government, about British courts and laws, and even British weaponry.  The Brobdingnagian king, however, is utterly horrified to learn of the behavior of individuals in the government, the way people seem to abuse the courts, the way people lie and cheat, and so forth.  He is most disgusted to learn of gunpowder, though.  When...

The king of Brobdingnag discusses England, Gulliver's home, with Gulliver at great length.  Gulliver delights in telling him about the British government, about British courts and laws, and even British weaponry.  The Brobdingnagian king, however, is utterly horrified to learn of the behavior of individuals in the government, the way people seem to abuse the courts, the way people lie and cheat, and so forth.  He is most disgusted to learn of gunpowder, though.  When Gulliver explains the effects of gunpowder and offers to tell the king the recipe, the king rebuffs him in no uncertain terms.  He calls Gulliver and his entire species odious vermin who really do not deserve to live at all.  As a peace-loving king who sees his office as a duty to protect the citizens of Brobdingnag, the king of Brobdingnag wants nothing to do with the ways and customs of England or humanity.

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