Class 9 Exam  >  Class 9 Notes  >  English Class 9  >  NCERT Textbook - Chapter 9, Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib & Japan

NCERT Textbook - Chapter 9, Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib & Japan | English Class 9 PDF Download

[The author returns to Maldonada. Sails to the kingdom of Luggnagg. The author confined. He is sent for to court. The manner of his admittance. The king’s great lenity to his subjects.]

The day of our departure being come, I took leave of his highness, the Governor of Glubbdubdrib, and returned with my two companions to Maldonada, where, after a fortnight’s waiting, a ship was ready to sail for Luggnagg. The two gentlemen, and some others, were so generous and kind as to furnish me with provisions, and see me on board. I was a month in this voyage. We had one violent storm, and were under a necessity of steering westward to get into the trade wind, which holds for above sixty leagues. On the 21st of April, 1708, we sailed into the river of Clumegnig, which is a seaport town, at the south-east point of Luggnagg. We cast anchor within a league of the town, and made a signal for a pilot. Two of them came on board in less than half an hour, by whom we were guided between certain shoals and rocks, which are very dangerous in the passage, to a large basin, where a fleet may ride in safety within a cable’s length of the town-wall.

 

Some of our sailors, whether out of treachery or inadvertence, had informed the pilots “that I was a stranger, and great traveller;” whereof these gave notice to a custom-house officer, by whom I was examined very strictly upon my landing. This officer spoke to me in the language of Balnibarbi, which, by the force of much commerce, is generally understood in that town, especially by seamen and those employed in the customs. I gave him a short account of some particulars, and made my story as plausible and consistent as I could; but I thought it necessary to disguise my country, and call myself a Hollander; because my intentions were for Japan, and I knew the Dutch were the only Europeans permitted to enter into that kingdom. I therefore told the officer, “that having been shipwrecked on the coast of Balnibarbi, and cast on a rock, I was received up into Laputa, or the flying island (of which he had often heard), and was now endeavouring to get to Japan, whence I might find a convenience of returning to my own country.” The officer said, “I must be confined till he could receive orders from court, for which he would write immediately, and hoped to receive an answer in a fortnight.” I was carried to a convenient lodging with a sentry placed at the door; however, I had the liberty of a large garden, and was treated with humanity enough, being maintained all the time at the king’s charge. I was invited by several persons, chiefly out of curiosity, because it was reported that I came from countries very remote, of which they had never heard.


I hired a young man, who came in the same ship, to be an interpreter; he was a native of Luggnagg, but had lived some years at Maldonada, and was a perfect master of both languages. By his assistance, I was able to hold a conversation with those who came to visit me; but this consisted only of their questions, and my answers.
The despatch came from court about the time we expected. It contained a warrant for conducting me and my retinue to TRALDRAGDUBH, or TRILDROGDRIB (for it is pronounced both ways as near as I can remember), by a party of ten horse. All my retinue was that poor lad for an interpreter, whom I persuaded into my service, and, at my humble request, we had each of us a mule to ride on. A messenger was despatched half a day’s journey before us, to give the king notice of my approach, and to desire, “that his majesty would please to appoint a day and hour, when it would by his gracious pleasure that I might have the honour to lick the dust before his footstool.” This is the court style, and I found it to be more than matter of form: for, upon my admittance two days after my arrival, I was commanded to crawl upon my belly, and lick the floor as I advanced; but, on account of my being a stranger, care was taken to have it made so clean, that the dust was not offensive. However, this was a peculiar grace, not allowed to any but persons of the highest rank, when they desire an admittance. Nay, sometimes the floor is strewed with dust on purpose, when the person to be admitted happens to have powerful enemies at court; and I have seen a great lord with his mouth so crammed, that when he had crept to the proper distance from the throne; he was not able to speak a word. Neither is there any remedy; because it is capital for those, who receive an audience to spit or wipe their mouths in his majesty’s presence. There is indeed another custom, which I cannot altogether approve of: when the king has a mind to put any of his nobles to death in a gentle indulgent manner, he commands the floor to be strewed with a certain brown powder of a deadly composition, which being licked up, infallibly kills him in twenty-four hours. But in justice to this prince’s great clemency, and the care he has of his subjects’ lives (wherein it were much to be wished that the Monarchs of Europe would imitate him), it must be mentioned for his honour, that strict orders are given to have the infected parts of the floor well washed after every such execution, which, if his domestics neglect, they are in danger of incurring his royal displeasure. I myself heard him give directions, that one of his pages should be whipped, whose turn it was to give notice about washing the floor after an execution, but maliciously had omitted it; by which neglect a young lord of great hopes, coming to an audience, was unfortunately poisoned, although the king at that time had no design against his life. But this good prince was so gracious as to forgive the poor page his whipping, upon promise that he would do so no more, without special orders.


To return from this digression. When I had crept within four yards of the throne, I raised myself gently upon my knees, and then striking my forehead seven times against the ground, I pronounced the following words, as they had been taught me the night before, INCKPLING GLOFFTHROBB SQUUT SERUMMBLHIOP MLASHNALT ZWIN TNODBALKUFFH SLHIOPHAD GURDLUBH ASHT. This is the compliment, established by the laws of the land, for all persons admitted to the king’s presence. It may be rendered into English thus: “May your celestial majesty outlive the sun, eleven moons and a half!” To this the king returned some answer, which, although I could not understand, yet I replied as I had been directed: FLUFT DRIN YALERICK DWULDOM PRASTRAD MIRPUSH, which properly signifies, “My tongue is in the mouth of my friend;” and by this expression was meant, that I desired leave to bring my interpreter; whereupon the young man already mentioned was accordingly introduced, by whose intervention I answered as many questions as his majesty could put in above an hour. I spoke in the Balnibarbian tongue, and my interpreter delivered my meaning in that of Luggnagg.


The king was much delighted with my company, and ordered his BLIFFMARKLUB, or high-chamberlain, to appoint a lodging in the court for me and my interpreter; with a daily allowance for my table, and a large purse of gold for my common expenses.


I staid three months in this country, out of perfect obedience to his majesty; who was pleased highly to favour me, and made me very honourable offers. But I thought it more consistent with prudence and justice to pass the remainder of my days with my wife and family.

The document NCERT Textbook - Chapter 9, Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib & Japan | English Class 9 is a part of the Class 9 Course English Class 9.
All you need of Class 9 at this link: Class 9
115 videos|620 docs|82 tests

Top Courses for Class 9

FAQs on NCERT Textbook - Chapter 9, Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib & Japan - English Class 9

1. What is the significance of Laputa in Gulliver's Travels?
Ans. Laputa is a floating island inhabited by intellectuals and scientists in Gulliver's Travels. It represents a satire on the impracticality and detachment of the scientific community from the real world. The people of Laputa are so absorbed in their own research and theories that they fail to make any practical contributions to society.
2. How does Gulliver's visit to Balnibarbi highlight the negative effects of excessive knowledge?
Ans. Gulliver's visit to Balnibarbi in Gulliver's Travels reveals the negative effects of excessive knowledge. The inhabitants of Balnibarbi are so engrossed in their pursuit of knowledge that they neglect practical matters. As a result, their society is in a state of decay, with crumbling infrastructure and a lack of basic amenities. This highlights the importance of balancing knowledge with practical application.
3. What role does Glubbdubdrib play in Gulliver's Travels?
Ans. Glubbdubdrib is a magical island visited by Gulliver in Gulliver's Travels. It is inhabited by sorcerers who have the power to summon historical figures from the dead. This allows Gulliver to have conversations with renowned personalities and learn about the true nature of historical events. Glubbdubdrib serves as a platform for Swift to provide critical commentary on various historical figures and events.
4. How does Gulliver's encounter with the Struldbrugs in Luggnagg highlight the theme of immortality?
Ans. Gulliver's encounter with the Struldbrugs in Luggnagg in Gulliver's Travels explores the concept of immortality. The Struldbrugs are individuals who are cursed with eternal life but not eternal youth. Despite their immortality, they age and suffer from physical and mental deterioration, leading to a miserable existence. This highlights the negative consequences of immortality and serves as a critique of the desire for eternal life.
5. What is the portrayal of Japan in Gulliver's Travels and what does it symbolize?
Ans. In Gulliver's Travels, Japan is portrayed as a highly organized and disciplined society. The Japanese people are depicted as having strict rules and regulations, with an emphasis on order and cleanliness. This portrayal symbolizes Swift's admiration for Japanese culture and society, particularly their efficient governance and disciplined lifestyle. It also serves as a contrast to the flaws and follies of the European societies depicted in the novel.
115 videos|620 docs|82 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for Class 9 exam

Top Courses for Class 9

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

Objective type Questions

,

study material

,

Voyage to Laputa

,

Balnibarbi

,

NCERT Textbook - Chapter 9

,

MCQs

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

ppt

,

Free

,

Luggnagg

,

Important questions

,

past year papers

,

NCERT Textbook - Chapter 9

,

Voyage to Laputa

,

Viva Questions

,

Sample Paper

,

video lectures

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

Summary

,

mock tests for examination

,

Luggnagg

,

Extra Questions

,

pdf

,

NCERT Textbook - Chapter 9

,

Voyage to Laputa

,

Balnibarbi

,

Glubbdubdrib & Japan | English Class 9

,

Luggnagg

,

Exam

,

Glubbdubdrib & Japan | English Class 9

,

Balnibarbi

,

Semester Notes

,

practice quizzes

,

Glubbdubdrib & Japan | English Class 9

;