Character Sketch from JKBOSE Class 9 English Chapter 2 – Gulliver in Liliput of Lemuel Gulliver, Reldresal, the Emperor of Lilliput, the Prince and the People of Blefuscu

 

A character sketch defines what the character is like and how he/she evolves or develops throughout the story. In this post you can find the Character Sketch of Lemuel Gulliver, Reldresal, the Emperor of Lilliput, the Prince and the People of Blefuscu from JKBOSE Class 9 English Tulip Book Lesson 2 Gulliver in Lilliput

 

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Character Sketch of Lemuel Gulliver

Gulliver is the narrator and protagonist, a ship captain who demonstrates intelligence, diplomacy, and remarkable restraint despite his enormous physical advantage. He treats the tiny Lilliputians with dignity and respect, lying down to speak with Reldresal and holding him gently in his hand. He is careful not to interfere in internal political or religious matters, stating he has no right as a foreigner, showing diplomatic wisdom. However, he willingly defends Lilliput against external invasion, demonstrating loyalty and honor. In capturing the fleet, Gulliver shows courage, strategic thinking, and physical prowess, he endures arrow attacks, protects his eyes with spectacles, cuts anchor cables, and successfully drags fifty warships across the channel. His restraint in using power shows moral character; he could dominate the Lilliputians but chooses cooperation instead. Gulliver serves as Swift’s device for observing and commenting on society’s absurdities.

 

Questions related to the Character of Lemuel Gulliver

Q1. Describe the character of Gulliver.
Q2. How does Gulliver defend Lilliput?

 

Character Sketch of Reldresal (Chief Secretary for Private Affairs)

Reldresal is a member of the Low Heels party and a trusted confidant of the Emperor. He emerges as diplomatic, intelligent, and articulate, explaining Lilliput’s complex political and religious conflicts with clarity. Despite being part of the governing party, he seems aware of the strange conflicts but remains loyal to his faction. He is practical and pragmatic, seeking Gulliver’s help against Blefuscu’s invasion and recognizing that Gulliver’s cooperation is valuable. His willingness to sit in Gulliver’s hand during conversation shows both trust and adaptability. He represents the educated political class caught in meaningless conflicts they perhaps recognize as foolish but cannot escape.

 

Questions related to the Character of Reldresal

Q1. Describe Reldresal.
Q2. How does Reldresal interact with Gulliver?

 

Character Sketch of The Emperor of Lilliput

Though not directly present in much of the narrative, the Emperor is characterized through description and actions. He favors the Low Heels party and wears only low heels himself, using political power to support his faction. He represents arbitrary authority, his grandfather’s finger injury became the basis for law, showing how personal incidents transform into state policy. He freed Gulliver partly for pragmatic reasons, needing help with state problems, showing that rulers use others for political advantage. After Gulliver captures the fleet, the Emperor rewards him generously by making him a Great Lord immediately, demonstrating how authority uses honors to secure loyalty. He waits on the shore with his entire court, showing both his concern for the mission’s outcome and his desire to publicly acknowledge success.

 

Questions related to the Character of the Emperor of Lilliput

Q1. Why did the emperor release Gulliver?
Q2. How does the emperor honour Gulliver?

 

Character Sketch of The Prince

The young Prince appears sympathetic to the High Heels party, with one heel higher than the other, giving him a limp. This physical manifestation of political sympathy shows how even bodily characteristics become politicized in divided societies. His divided loyalty represents the next generation caught between opposing factions, suggesting future instability and the continuation of meaningless conflicts.

 

Questions related to the Character of the Prince

Q1. What is the prince’s reaction to the High Heels party?
Q2. How does the prince represent the next generation?

 

Character Sketch of The People of Blefuscu

Though not individually characterized, the Blefuscans represent the enemy, those who broke away from Lilliput over religious principle. They support the Big Endians, provide refuge to rebels, and prepare to invade Lilliput. They’re portrayed as numerous (at least 30,000 soldiers) and brave enough to shoot thousands of arrows at the giant Gulliver even as he captures their fleet. Their despair when Gulliver succeeds shows genuine attachment to their cause. They represent opposing factions in religious and political conflicts who refuse compromise, preferring war to negotiation.

 

Questions related to the Character of the People of Blefuscu

Q1. On being captured, how do the people of Blefiscu react?
Q2. Why did the people of Blefuscu break away from Lilliput?