The Coral Island · Chapter
XXXII explained
Jack, Ralph, and Peterkin, with the help of a missionary teacher, plan to rescue Avatea from the Mango savages and escape by canoe to a Christian island fifty miles away.
What happens
Jack, Ralph, and Peterkin, with the help of a missionary teacher, plan to rescue Avatea from the Mango savages and escape by canoe to a Christian island fifty miles away. Their plan is discovered when Tararo presents Avatea as a sacrifice, prompting Jack to defiantly seize her and challenge the natives. The teacher intervenes, and Tararo claims Jack's life but hesitates to kill him due to past gratitude.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Jack, Ralph, and Peterkin risk their lives and vessel to rescue Avatea, demonstrating deep loyalty and self-sacrifice.
Christianity and Morality
The missionary advocates overcoming evil with good, and Jack references divine deliverance, highlighting Christian faith as a moral guide.
Savagery vs. Civilization
The contrast between the 'heathen' practices of the Mango savages and the Christian values of the rescuers is central to the chapter.
Characters to notice
- Jack Martin
Leads the rescue plan, defies Tararo by seizing Avatea and challenging the natives.
- Ralph Rover
Participates in the planning and is present during the confrontation.
- Peterkin Gay
Enthusiastically supports the plan, calling the missionary a 'regular brick'.
- Avatea
The Samoan girl to be rescued; she agrees to risk the voyage and speaks some English.
- Tararo
The chief who refuses to release Avatea and later presents her as a sacrifice, but spares Jack's life.
- Missionary
The teacher who devises the escape plan and intervenes to prevent violence.
Key passages
“Friend, when I make up my mind to go through with a thing of importance, I can make any sacrifice.”
Jack declares his willingness to sacrifice the schooner for the rescue mission.
Shows Jack's determination and commitment to the plan.
“I too am not afraid to die in a good cause!”
The missionary expresses his readiness to face death for the sake of Avatea's freedom.
Highlights the missionary's courage and moral conviction.
“Come on, the whole nation of you, an ye like it, and do your worst!”
Jack challenges the entire group of natives after seizing Avatea.
Demonstrates Jack's reckless bravery and defiance.