CHAPTER III -Gulliver of Mars

In Chapter III of “Gulliver of Mars,” the protagonist is awakened by An, a Martian boy, who attributes Gulliver’s disorientation to not drinking enough of the local wine. Eager to learn about Mars, Gulliver and An set off towards the city, journeying through a landscape filled with canals, gardens, and social Martians engaging in leisurely activities. An prefers learning through experience rather than talking, reflecting the Martian disdain for work. Their trip is marked by numerous stops, showcasing Martian society’s laid-back nature.

As they approach the city, the differences in Martian society become apparent, with half the population dressed in colorful attire and the other half, including An, in yellow, indicating a class or gender distinction that confuses Gulliver. The Martians are intrigued by Gulliver, drawing attention as they navigate the crowded and lively canals toward the city. An reveals being part of a despised class, once considered priestesses, now regarded as lower-class citizens due to their history of attempting to emulate the opposite sex, now serving as laborers without the privileges of love or family.

They encounter a royal barge led by Hath, the supposed ruler of Mars, amid a celebratory fleet. Gulliver, struck by the beauty of Princess Heru and moved by curiosity, jumps aboard the royal barge. An accident with a floating log throws Heru into the water, prompting Gulliver to heroically rescue her, earning the Martians’ admiration but revealing the societal norms and peculiarities of Mars, such as their method of determining marital partners through a lottery system, contrasting sharply with Earth’s customs of courtship and individual choice.