# The Hurricane and the Resolution explained — Five Weeks in a Balloon

> Chapter companion for Five Weeks in a Balloon by Jules Verne.

## What happens

Dr. Ferguson and Kennedy are forced to depart without Joe due to a violent hurricane. They struggle with the decision but resolve to return for him. The balloon is driven northward over the desert, where they witness a caravan being buried by a sandstorm. After being caught in turbulent winds, the Victoria suddenly shifts direction and heads southward again, giving them hope of finding Joe. Kennedy takes up his post with a spyglass to search for any sign of their companion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Resilience

The doctor and Kennedy endure the hurricane and sandstorm, and resolve to survive and return for Joe despite overwhelming odds.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Kennedy and Ferguson's unwavering commitment to rescue Joe, even at the risk of abandoning their expedition.

### Humanity vs. Nature

The hurricane and sandstorm demonstrate nature's overwhelming power, forcing the travelers to adapt and struggle for control.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Samuel Ferguson

Forced to abandon Joe due to the hurricane; resolves to return for him; shows despair but regains determination.

### Dick Kennedy

Reluctantly agrees to depart without Joe; pledges to sacrifice himself to find Joe; takes up watch with spyglass.

### Joe

Left behind near Lake Tchad; the doctor and Kennedy worry about his survival and language barriers.

### Victoria

Struggles in the hurricane; forced to cut anchor; driven northward then southward by shifting winds.

## Key lines

> We must be off, Dick; we cannot remain in this situation.

We have to leave now, Dick; it's too dangerous to stay here.

_The doctor insists on departure despite the risk of leaving Joe._

> I am not likely to abandon him. No, indeed! and should the hurricane carry me a thousand miles to the northward, I will return!

I have no intention of giving up on Joe. Even if the storm blows me a thousand miles north, I will come back for him.

_Ferguson's determination to find Joe despite the forced departure._

> We have, perhaps, been tempting Providence; it does not belong to man to undertake such a journey!

Maybe we have been testing fate; such a journey is beyond human limits.

_The doctor reflects on the hubris of their expedition after losing Joe._

> I will follow you, doctor; you may count upon me! We would rather give up the idea of prosecuting this journey than not return.

I'm with you, doctor; you can rely on me. I'd rather abandon the expedition than fail to bring Joe back.

_Kennedy pledges to sacrifice the journey for Joe's rescue._

> Whither are we going now?

Where are we heading now?

_Kennedy asks about their new direction after the wind shifts._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters