Also Read
Term II, Part III
A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnag, Gulbbdubdrib and Japan
Plot Summary
After being at home for only ten days, the author is visited by Captain William Robinson. The captain offers him the post of a surgeon on his ship that is to sail after two months. Always attracted towards such voyages, the author readily accepts his proposal. In the course of the journey, the author and his crew are caught by pirates and the author is set adrift in a small canoe. The author somehow reaches an island where he is rescued by the people. This island is a Flying Island known as Laputa that rules a land below known as Balnibarbi. The people of Laputa are all confused and absentminded for they are always engaged in complicated calculations. The author is surprised to see the ill-built houses and people in rags. The author is delighted to visit the estate of Lord Munodi where he sees neatly built houses and vineyards and fields of corn. The author who is eager to return to his native land, takes leave from the king and reaches the port of Maldonada. Since there is no ship ready for Luggnagg, he takes a trip to Glubbdubdrib, an island of magicians. Here the author finds an opportunity to speak with the spirits of some ancient heroes such as Brutus and Alexander. He also speaks to the spirits of some modern-day kings, politicians and officers and comes to know the reasons behind the various kinds of corruption that have crept into human society. The author then reaches Luggnagg and after pleasing the king he arrives in Japan. Since he has come under the royal patronage of the king of Luggnagg, his request to excuse him from the ceremony of trampling upon the crucifix is granted by the emperor of Japan and he returns safely to his native land on a Dutch ship.