Gulliver’s Travels Video Summary

Visit us at to read the full video transcript and our study guide for this classic novel, which includes a full list of characters, themes, and much more. Gulliver’s Travels is a fictionalized travel narrative written by Jonathan Swift in the 18th century. The story satirizes British culture and politics, as English Captain Lemuel Gulliver narrates his extraordinary experiences voyaging to foreign lands. Throughout Gulliver’s four distinct trips, he gains new perspectives by comparing the cultures he encounters with his own. The story begins with an account of Gulliver’s earlier life, including his marriage to Mrs. Mary Burton and his work as a medical doctor. When Gulliver’s business begins to fail, he embarks on a series of sailing trips. On his first voyage, Gulliver’s challenges begin when a violent storm sinks his ship. As the only survivor, he swims to an island called Lilliput where he passes out from exhaustio