Which emotion best describes Gulliver's initial reaction upon hearing about the struldbrugs?

Gulliver's initial reaction upon hearing about the struldbrugs in Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" was one of amazement and envy. He learns of these beings from the residents of the fictional land of Luggnagg, where the struldbrugs are immortals. At first, he becomes excited by the idea of living forever and not having to face death, imagining the benefits of eternal life such as accumulating wealth, wisdom, and experiencing the future. However, Gulliver's envy and excitement quickly turn to horror as he learns more about the nature of the struldbrugs' existence.

In "Gulliver's Travels," the concept of the struldbrugs serves as a satirical device that Swift uses to critique human desires for immortality and the belief that a longer life would inherently be better. The struldbrugs are indeed immortal, but their immortality is a curse rather than a blessing. Once they reach the age of 80, they continue aging without the prospect of death, becoming increasingly decrepit, malcontent, and burdened by the woes of eternal life.

Jonathan Swift cleverly employs the struldbrugs to reveal the follies of human nature. While Gulliver is initially charmed by the idea of endless life, he eventually realizes the grim reality that the struldbrugs face: they live on while suffering all the infirmities of old age, they are declared legally dead at 80 and lose all ownership of their assets, and they cannot communicate with younger people due to the evolution of language and the changes in society. This helps Swift to deliver powerful commentary on the human condition, the transient nature of human life, and the importance of accepting mortality as a part of that condition