Balnibarbi: Difference between revisions
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'''Balnibarbi''' is a fictional land in [[Jonathan Swift]]'s satirical novel ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]''. it was visited by[[Lemuel Gulliver]] after he was rescued by the people of the flying island of [[Laputa]]. |
'''Balnibarbi''' is a fictional land in [[Jonathan Swift]]'s satirical novel ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]''. it was visited by[[Lemuel Gulliver]] after he was rescued by the people of the flying island of [[Laputa]]. |
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==Location== |
==Location== |
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The location of Balnibarbi is illustrated in both the text and the map at the beginning of part III of ''Gulliver's Travels'', though they are not consistent with each other. |
The location of Balnibarbi is illustrated in both the text and the map at the beginning of part III of ''Gulliver's Travels'', though they are not consistent with each other. |
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The map shows Balnibarbi to be an island to the east of [[Japan]] and to the northeast of [[Luggnagg]]. |
The map shows Balnibarbi to be an island to the east of [[Japan]] and to the northeast of [[Luggnagg]].<ref>''Gulliver's Travels'' (GT), part III, ch I: Oxford World Classic (OWC) p140</ref> |
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The text states that the kingdom of Balnibarbi is part of a continent which extends itself eastward to that unknown tract of [[North America|America]] westward of [[California]] and northward of the [[Pacific Ocean]],<ref>GT, part III, ch 7: OWC p180</ref> and places it southwest of Luggnagg, which is "siuated to the NorthWest"<ref>GT pt III, ch7: OWC p180</ref> Gulliver gives his last known position (taken the morning “an hour before” he was captured by the pirates who set him adrift) as 46N, 183 <ref>GT, part III, ch 1: OWC p143</ref> (ie. east of Japan, south of the Aleutian Islands <ref>OWC, note: p319</ref> and was picked up by the inhabitants of [[Laputa]] just 5 days later, having drifted south-south-east down a chain of small rocky islands <ref>GT, part III, ch 1: OWC p143</ref> |
The text states that the kingdom of Balnibarbi is part of a continent which extends itself eastward to that unknown tract of [[North America|America]] westward of [[California]] and northward of the [[Pacific Ocean]],<ref>GT, part III, ch 7: OWC p180</ref> and places it southwest of Luggnagg, which is "siuated to the NorthWest"<ref>GT pt III, ch7: OWC p180</ref> Gulliver gives his last known position (taken the morning “an hour before” he was captured by the pirates who set him adrift) as 46N, 183 <ref>GT, part III, ch 1: OWC p143</ref> (ie. east of Japan, south of the Aleutian Islands <ref>OWC, note: p319</ref> and was picked up by the inhabitants of [[Laputa]] just 5 days later, having drifted south-south-east down a chain of small rocky islands <ref>GT, part III, ch 1: OWC p143</ref> |
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Gulliver also tells us that the island of [[Laputa]] flies by the “magnetick virtue” of certain minerals in the ground of Balnibarbi and does not extend more than four miles above, and six leagues beyond, beyond the limit of the kingdom.<ref>GT, part III, ch 3: OWC p157</ref> |
Gulliver also tells us that the island of [[Laputa]] flies by the “magnetick virtue” of certain minerals in the ground of Balnibarbi and does not extend more than four miles above, and six leagues beyond, beyond the limit of the kingdom.<ref>GT, part III, ch 3: OWC p157</ref> |
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The exception to this was the estate of his guide, the Lord Munodi, a person of the first rank who had been governor of [[Lagado]], but had been dismissed for insufficiency by a [[cabal]] of ministers. He had been treated with tenderness by the king, but held in low understanding.<ref>GT pt III, ch 4: OWC p163</ref> |
The exception to this was the estate of his guide, the Lord Munodi, a person of the first rank who had been governor of [[Lagado]], but had been dismissed for insufficiency by a [[cabal]] of ministers. He had been treated with tenderness by the king, but held in low understanding.<ref>GT pt III, ch 4: OWC p163</ref> |
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These estates were wholly different to the land as a whole, being "a most beautiful country, with houses neatly built, fields enclosed, containing vineyards, corn-grounds and meadows".<ref>GT pt III, ch 4: OWC p163</ref> |
These estates were wholly different to the land as a whole, being "a most beautiful country, with houses neatly built, fields enclosed, containing vineyards, corn-grounds and meadows".<ref>GT pt III, ch 4: OWC p163</ref> |
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However Munodi reported that he was under pressure to tear down his house and tenant farms and rebuild them in the modern manner, or be censured for pride and incur the wrath of his majesty.<ref>GT pt III, ch4: OWC p164</ref> |
However Munodi reported that he was under pressure to tear down his house and tenant farms and rebuild them in the modern manner, or be censured for pride and incur the wrath of his majesty.<ref>GT pt III, ch4: OWC p164</ref> |
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Munodi explained that some forty years previously, some persons from the land had travelled to [[Laputa|the flying island]], and having come back with ”a very little smattering of mathematicks” but full of “volatile spirits” acquired in that region, had come to dislike the management of all things below, and fell to forming schemes to put “all arts, sciences, languages and mechanicks” on a new footing. To this end they had created an [[Academy of Projectors]], from which a steady stream of projects, designed to let “one man do the works of ten” and “let the fruits of the earth come to maturity at whatever season” thought fit, and to increase production “an hundred-fold”, to “let a palace be built in a week”, and to create materials “so durable as to last forever”. |
Munodi explained that some forty years previously, some persons from the land had travelled to [[Laputa|the flying island]], and having come back with ”a very little smattering of mathematicks” but full of “volatile spirits” acquired in that region, had come to dislike the management of all things below, and fell to forming schemes to put “all arts, sciences, languages and mechanicks” on a new footing. To this end they had created an [[Academy of Projectors]], from which a steady stream of projects, designed to let “one man do the works of ten” and “let the fruits of the earth come to maturity at whatever season” thought fit, and to increase production “an hundred-fold”, to “let a palace be built in a week”, and to create materials “so durable as to last forever”. |
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==Satire== |
==Satire== |
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The target of Swift's satire in Balnibarbi is it's “Projectors” (who are described as "inventors or planners of political, social, financial or scientific schemes... which are wild or impractical"<ref>GT, Notes p326</ref>) rather than science per se, which is generally commended<ref>cf GT ptIII, ch3, (OWC p157): GT pt III, ch4, (OWC p164) for example</ref> |
The target of Swift's satire in Balnibarbi is it's “Projectors” (who are described as "inventors or planners of political, social, financial or scientific schemes... which are wild or impractical"<ref>GT, Notes p326</ref>) rather than science per se, which is generally commended:<ref>cf GT ptIII, ch3, (OWC p157): GT pt III, ch4, (OWC p164) for example</ref> He also “aim(s) to discredit the Newtonian Whig intelligentsia...and to ridicule anything remotely connected to the Dutch”:<ref>GT Notes p 128</ref> Higgins reports scholars have identified the Academy as referring to the [[Royal Society]] in London, the [[Dublin Philosophical Society]], and the [[University of Leiden]].<ref>GT Notes, p327</ref> Higgins further states that Swifts satire “describes or is based on actual contemporary experiments reported (by) the Royal Society”.<ref>GT Notes p327</ref> |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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| Balnibarbi | |
|---|---|
| 'Gulliver's Travels' location | |
 Balnibarbi (original map, Gulliver's Travels) showing the location of Laputa the flying island, Lagado the capital, and Malonada, the main port. | |
| Created by | Jonathan Swift |
| Genre | Satire |
| In-universe information | |
| Type | City |
| Locations | Academy of Lagado |
| Characters | Lord Munodi (former governor) |
Balnibarbi is a fictional land in Jonathan Swift's satirical novel Gulliver's Travels. it was visited byLemuel Gulliver after he was rescued by the people of the flying island of Laputa.
Location
The location of Balnibarbi is illustrated in both the text and the map at the beginning of part III of Gulliver's Travels, though they are not consistent with each other. The map shows Balnibarbi to be an island to the east of Japan and to the northeast of Luggnagg.[1] The text states that the kingdom of Balnibarbi is part of a continent which extends itself eastward to that unknown tract of America westward of California and northward of the Pacific Ocean,[2] and places it southwest of Luggnagg, which is "siuated to the NorthWest"[3] Gulliver gives his last known position (taken the morning “an hour before” he was captured by the pirates who set him adrift) as 46N, 183 [4] (ie. east of Japan, south of the Aleutian Islands [5] and was picked up by the inhabitants of Laputa just 5 days later, having drifted south-south-east down a chain of small rocky islands [6] Gulliver also tells us that the island of Laputa flies by the “magnetick virtue” of certain minerals in the ground of Balnibarbi and does not extend more than four miles above, and six leagues beyond, beyond the limit of the kingdom.[7] He states the Pacific coast, where lies the port of Maldonado, is not above one hundred and fifty miles from the capital, Lagado.[8]
Description
Gulliver describes the land of Balnibarbi as "a land unhappily cultivated, with houses ill-contrived and ruinous, and its people’s countenances expressing misery and want". He found its method of farming "unaccountable".[9]
The exception to this was the estate of his guide, the Lord Munodi, a person of the first rank who had been governor of Lagado, but had been dismissed for insufficiency by a cabal of ministers. He had been treated with tenderness by the king, but held in low understanding.[10] These estates were wholly different to the land as a whole, being "a most beautiful country, with houses neatly built, fields enclosed, containing vineyards, corn-grounds and meadows".[11] However Munodi reported that he was under pressure to tear down his house and tenant farms and rebuild them in the modern manner, or be censured for pride and incur the wrath of his majesty.[12]
Munodi explained that some forty years previously, some persons from the land had travelled to the flying island, and having come back with ”a very little smattering of mathematicks” but full of “volatile spirits” acquired in that region, had come to dislike the management of all things below, and fell to forming schemes to put “all arts, sciences, languages and mechanicks” on a new footing. To this end they had created an Academy of Projectors, from which a steady stream of projects, designed to let “one man do the works of ten” and “let the fruits of the earth come to maturity at whatever season” thought fit, and to increase production “an hundred-fold”, to “let a palace be built in a week”, and to create materials “so durable as to last forever”. Unfortunately, the only inconvenience being that none of these projects were yet brought to perfection, and in the mean time the whole country lay waste.[13]
Satire
The target of Swift's satire in Balnibarbi is it's “Projectors” (who are described as "inventors or planners of political, social, financial or scientific schemes... which are wild or impractical"[14]) rather than science per se, which is generally commended:[15] He also “aim(s) to discredit the Newtonian Whig intelligentsia...and to ridicule anything remotely connected to the Dutch”:[16] Higgins reports scholars have identified the Academy as referring to the Royal Society in London, the Dublin Philosophical Society, and the University of Leiden.[17] Higgins further states that Swifts satire “describes or is based on actual contemporary experiments reported (by) the Royal Society”.[18]
Notes
- ^ Gulliver's Travels (GT), part III, ch I: Oxford World Classic (OWC) p140
- ^ GT, part III, ch 7: OWC p180
- ^ GT pt III, ch7: OWC p180
- ^ GT, part III, ch 1: OWC p143
- ^ OWC, note: p319
- ^ GT, part III, ch 1: OWC p143
- ^ GT, part III, ch 3: OWC p157
- ^ GT, part III, ch 7: OWC p180
- ^ GT pt III, ch 4: OWC p163
- ^ GT pt III, ch 4: OWC p163
- ^ GT pt III, ch 4: OWC p163
- ^ GT pt III, ch4: OWC p164
- ^ GT pt III, ch4: OWC p165
- ^ GT, Notes p326
- ^ cf GT ptIII, ch3, (OWC p157): GT pt III, ch4, (OWC p164) for example
- ^ GT Notes p 128
- ^ GT Notes, p327
- ^ GT Notes p327
References
- Jonathan Swift: Guliver's Travels Oxford World Classics (1986, reprint 2008) introduction by Claude Rawson, explanatory notes by Ian Higgins