# XXXIV explained — The Coral Island

> Chapter companion for The Coral Island by R. M. Ballantyne.

## What happens

After a long month of imprisonment in a dark cave, the boys are unexpectedly freed when a missionary converts Chief Tararo to Christianity. They witness the burning of the native idols, reunite with Avatea and her lover, and prepare to return to England.

## Themes in this chapter

### Christianity and Morality

The missionary's arrival leads to Tararo's conversion, the burning of idols, and the boys' liberation, emphasizing Christian redemption.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Jack comforts Peterkin in prison, and the boys remain united through their ordeal.

### Providence and Fate

The boys' release is attributed to divine guidance and the missionary's timely arrival.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph Rover

Narrates the despair of imprisonment and the joy of liberation.

### Jack Martin

Comforts Peterkin in prison; speaks with Tararo and Avatea's lover after release.

### Peterkin Gay

Weeps in despair during imprisonment; wishes to see the gods burned.

### Tararo

Chief who converts to Christianity and grants the boys their freedom.

### Avatea

Rescued native girl; is reunited with her lover and will marry soon.

### Missionary

English missionary who converts Tararo and secures the boys' release.

## Key lines

> For a long long month we remained in our dark and dreary prison, during which dismal time we did not see the face of a human being, except that of the silent savage who brought us our daily food.

The boys were imprisoned for a month in a dark cave, seeing only the silent guard who brought food.

_Describes the duration and isolation of their captivity._

> The Lord has unloosed the bands of the captive and set the prisoners free. A missionary has been sent to us, and Tararo has embraced the Christian religion!

The teacher announces that Tararo has converted to Christianity, leading to the boys' freedom.

_Key moment of liberation attributed to religious conversion._

> We are at liberty to depart in our schooner whenever we please, and that we should be supplied with as much provision as we required.

Tararo grants the boys permission to leave with their schooner and supplies.

_Confirms their full freedom and ability to return home._

## Links

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