# Five Months More explained — The Fur Country

> Chapter companion for The Fur Country by Jules Verne.

## What happens

After the earthquake, the colonists repair the damaged fort and assess the altered landscape. The thaw arrives in April, breaking up ice with explosive force and opening the sea. Hobson notes the lake's receding waters and the changed slope of the ground. Hunting resumes, yielding abundant furs. Mrs. Barnett decides to stay another winter, and the chapter closes with the return of the sun and the gradual arrival of spring.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival Against Nature

The colonists repair earthquake damage, endure extreme cold, and adapt to the changing landscape as the thaw begins.

### Human Resilience and Camaraderie

Hobson and Mrs. Barnett's mutual support and the collective effort to restore the fort highlight the group's resilience.

### The Sublime and Uncanny Nature

The earthquake's transformation of the coastline, the explosive breakup of ice, and the altered landscape evoke the sublime power of nature.

## Character check-ins

### Lieutenant Jaspar Hobson

Observes the earthquake's effects, oversees repairs, and discusses the changing landscape with Mrs. Barnett and Sergeant Long.

### Mrs. Paulina Barnett

Jokes about the loss of Paulina River and Port Barnett, decides to remain at Fort Hope for another winter.

### Sergeant Long

Accompanies Hobson to check the lake's water sweetness and assists in assessing the terrain.

### Mac-Nab

Executes urgent repairs to the fort's woodwork and chimneys after the earthquake.

### Mrs. Joliffe

Plants sorrel and cochlearia seeds; her husband checks on the reindeer and dogs.

### Corporal Joliffe

Tasked with protecting the new sprouts from birds and rodents.

## Key lines

> The ice burst with a noise like the discharge of artillery.

The ice shattered with a sound as loud as cannon fire.

_Describes the dramatic breakup of ice during the spring thaw._

> We have now to erase a river from the map of the Arctic regions.

We must remove a river from the Arctic map.

_Hobson remarks on the disappearance of the Paulina River due to the earthquake._

> The miseries of an Arctic winter would not conquer men like you and your companions.

The hardships of an Arctic winter cannot defeat men of your caliber.

_Mrs. Barnett praises Hobson and the soldiers for their endurance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xxii-five-months-more
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters