Question

Attempt any one question from Q. 11 (a) or Q. 11 (b) in about 150 words.
Gulliver's Travels
(a) Discuss 'Gullivers's Travel' as a political satire ?
OR
(a) Comment on the character of James Bates in about 150-200 words.

Three Men in a Boat
(b) What happened to Harris in the maze at Hampton Court Place ?
OR
(b) Give the character sketch of Montmorency, the dog.

Answer 1

Gulliver’s Travels
 (a) 'Gulliver's Travels' is a great satirical work in the form of a travel book. Swift's purpose in writing this book was to expose the evils, follies and absurdities of human life. The criticism of human race contained in this book is well-founded and convincing. It is a light-hearted and mirthful satire. In the country of the pigmies, there was a dispute going on between Big-endians and the Little-endians, and a dispute between those who wear high heels and those who wear low heels. These disputes suggests the religious conflict that was going on in England between the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. The continuing war between Lilliput and Blefuscu suggests the war between England and France. Moreover, Filmnap is created with the intention of mocking at Sir Robert Walpole. The annoyance of the Empress of Lilliput with Gulliver is representative of the resentment of Queen Anne with Swift. In brief, much of the narrative is a satire on English politics, England politicians and English monarchy.
OR
(a) Value Points :
l An eminent London Surgeon.
l Gulliver worked as an apprentice to him.
l Gives Gulliver an opportunity to set up practice with him.
l He gave Gulliver the first job as a surgeon on the ship.
Detailed Answer :
James Bates was an eminent surgeon in London. When Gulliver was at Emmanuel College in Cambridge, he had a very scanty allowance. So he started working as an apprentice to Mr. James Bates. He continued to work with him for four years.
After Gulliver’s return from Leyden, he was recommended by his good master, Mr. Bates to be the surgeon to the Swallow. It was Mr. Bates who gave Gulliver an opportunity to set up practice with him. He gave Gulliver the first job as a Surgeon on the ship. Not only this, on board of the ship, Mr. Bates also recommended him to several patients. Unfortunately for Gulliver, Mr. James Bates died two years later.
Three Men in a Boat
(b) Once, Harris went in the maze at Hampton Court Place to show somebody else the way. He met some people who declared that they had been there for about forty-five minutes. There were around twenty people following Harris. A woman with a baby insisted on taking Harris' arm for fear of losing him. They had already walked a good two miles, but they didn't find the way out. Harris took out the map and suggested to go to the entrance and begin again. They went in the opposite direction. But after ten minutes, they found themselves at the centre. They consulted the map again and started coming out for the third time. After three minutes, they were back at the centre. After that, they couldn't get anywhere. They started but were at the middle again. A young keeper tried to help them but he, too, lost the way. They had to wait until one of the old keepers came and got them out.
OR
(b) Montmorency is Jerome’s pet dog. He has been characterised like a human being. Montmorency has a belief to poke his nose in almost everything. He believes in committing errors after errors so that people will curse him and he enjoys that. During packing, he treats lemons as rats and bounces upon them. Harris blames Jerome for spoiling him but he says that it is in the nature of all dogs and dogs are born with the original sin of messing up the things. Montmorency feels that he is a warrior when he meets Tom, the cat and goes near him. But when he sees Tom sitting like a lord in the middle of the road, he withdraws and pulls up his tail. In this way, Montmorency is like George, Harris and Jerome to add up to the humour and fun. Montmorency’s treating the kettle as an enemy and his dancing at sniffing is really a great fun and subject of laughter.