XXV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Savagery vs. Civilization

  Contrast between the innocent games of native children and the brutal violence of Romata, highlighting the thin line between civilized and savage behavior.

• Nature and the Sublime

  The awe-inspiring power of the surf and the beauty of the native children's swimming skills evoke the sublime aspects of nature.

• Colonialism and Civilization

  Ralph's reflections on the lack of law and the need for missionaries underscore colonial attitudes toward native societies.

Characters to notice

• Ralph Rover

  Narrator who observes the native games, surf swimming, and Romata's violence.

• Bloody Bill

  Explains the surf-swimming game and Romata's mad conduct to Ralph.

• Tararo

  Recognized by Ralph during the surf-swimming display; greets him.

• Romata

  Chief who invites the captain to see the surf swim, then goes on a violent rampage, knocking out a man's eye.

• The Captain

  Invited by Romata to watch the surf-swimming event.

Key passages

• “I could not help wondering that some of the games of those little savages should be so like to our own, although they had never seen us at play.”

  Ralph is surprised that native children's games resemble English ones despite no prior contact.

  Highlights the universal nature of childhood play across cultures.

• “It seemed to me a very awful thing that it should be possible for men to come to such hardness of heart and callousness to the sight of bloodshed and violence; but, indeed, I began to find that such constant exposure to scenes of blood was having a slight effect upon myself, and I shuddered when I came to think that I, too, was becoming callous.”

  Ralph reflects on how repeated exposure to violence desensitizes even him, and he pities the natives who are born into it.

  Central theme of moral desensitization and the impact of environment on character.