How long did Gulliver stay in Brobdingnag?

Answered by Tom Adger

Gulliver’s stay in Brobdingnag lasted for a period of two years. During this time, he experienced a range of emotions and encountered various challenges that made him yearn for the company of his own kind again.

At first, Gulliver was captivated by the magnificence and grandeur of the Brobdingnagians, who were giants compared to him. Their vast size and strength fascinated him, as did their advanced civilization and culture. However, as time went on, Gulliver began to feel increasingly out of place and longed to be among people of his own stature.

One of Gulliver’s primary concerns during his stay in Brobdingnag was the fear that any offspring he might have with a Brobdingnagian would be treated as mere curiosities, either being kept in cages or given away as pets to the nobility. This fear stemmed from witnessing the Brobdingnagians’ fascination with his own tininess and their tendency to view him as an object of curiosity rather than as an equal.

Living among beings several times his size also presented practical challenges for Gulliver. Simple tasks that he once took for granted became arduous and dangerous in this new environment. Everyday activities such as finding shelter, sourcing food, and avoiding accidental harm required immense effort and constant vigilance. Gulliver’s experiences in Brobdingnag served as a constant reminder of his vulnerability and the limitations imposed upon him by his diminutive size.

As time passed, Gulliver’s longing to be reunited with his own kind grew stronger. He yearned for the companionship of people who could relate to his experiences and share a common understanding of the world. The isolation he felt among the Brobdingnagians, despite their kindness and hospitality, became increasingly overwhelming.

Gulliver’s stay in Brobdingnag lasted for a total of two years. His time among the giants was filled with both awe-inspiring moments and challenges that made him crave the company of his own kind once again. The fear of his potential offspring being treated as pets or curiosities, combined with the practical difficulties of living in a world designed for giants, heightened his longing to return to a world where he belonged.