Gulliver's Dream of Home and Family

Gulliver's longing for his wife and children during his travels, and his dreams of returning to them.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Dream of Home in Brobdingnag

The Longing for England The Dream After a nap in the farmer's bed, Gulliver dreams he is at home with his wife and children. This aggravates his sorrows when he awakens and finds himself alone in a vast room. He is in despair. The Reflection on His Folly He laments his own folly in attempting a second voyage against the advice of his friends. He thinks of his desolate widow and fatherless children. His guilt is evident. The Motivation to Return This dream solidifies his desire to return home. He is determined to find a way back to England. His family is the anchor of his identity.

The Letter to His Wife

The Preparations for Departure The Arrangements Before leaving on the second voyage, Gulliver leaves his wife fixed in a good house at Redriff with fifteen hundred pounds. He also has an estate near Epping and a lease on the Black Bull in Fetter Lane. He ensures his family is provided for. The Farewell He takes leave of his wife, son Johnny, and daughter Betty with tears on both sides. He is sad to leave, but his insatiable desire to see foreign countries drives him. The Motivation His family is a source of comfort, but it is not enough to keep him home. He is torn between duty and wanderlust. This conflict is central to his character.

The Return Home and the Disappointment

The Alienated Homecoming The Inability to Connect When Gulliver returns, he is so disoriented that he cannot interact normally with his family. He sees them as pygmies. He tells his wife she has starved herself. He cannot embrace them properly. The Reconciliation After a little time, they come to a right understanding. His wife protests that he should never go to sea again. But his evil destiny orders otherwise. The Continuing Cycle Gulliver's dream of home is never fully realized. He is always a stranger in his own home. His travels have changed him permanently. The family bond is strong but strained.

1703, early in the Brobdingnag stay

1702, before the second voyage

June 1706, after the second voyage