# In the Offing explained — The Fur Country

> Chapter companion for The Fur Country by Jules Verne.

## What happens

Victoria Island drifts south through the Bering Sea, its ice base melting in warmer waters. A storm destroys the main house and accelerates the island's decay. Hobson and the colonists debate whether to abandon the island for a raft, but decide to wait, hoping to reach the Aleutian Islands. The icebergs that had been driving the island shift position, leaving it adrift and helpless.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival Against Nature

The colonists face the imminent destruction of their island home from melting ice, storms, and shifting currents, struggling to find a way to survive.

### Human Resilience and Camaraderie

Despite despair, Hobson consults with his comrades, they work together on the raft, and they rescue Sabine from a crevasse, showing collective resolve.

### The Sublime and Uncanny Nature

The island's transformation into a drifting, melting fragment, the storm's fury, and the house sinking into the sea evoke the awe and terror of nature's power.

## Character check-ins

### Lieutenant Jaspar Hobson

Presses construction of the raft, takes bearings, and consults with the men about whether to abandon the island.

### Mrs. Paulina Barnett

Examines the map, muses on the island's fatal course, and urges Hobson to consider any possible action.

### Sergeant Long

Shakes his head doubtfully when Hobson hopes to reach the Aleutians in eight days, and is consulted about the raft decision.

### Mac-Nab

Wishes to make the raft as strong as possible for the long journey; consulted by Hobson.

### Thomas Black

Remains gloomily indifferent to the island's disintegration.

### Captain Kellet

Exclaims that the icebergs shifting position will cause the island to lose its 'screw' (driving force).

## Key lines

> This evening we shall have lost our screw!

Kellet predicts that the icebergs, now positioned ahead of the island, will drift away and leave the island without its driving force.

_Kellet uses a nautical metaphor to explain that the island will lose its propulsion._

> Eight days is a long time.

Sergeant Long expresses doubt that the island can survive the eight days needed to reach the Aleutians.

_Long's skepticism underscores the precariousness of their situation._

> Could not the course of the island be controlled?

Mrs. Barnett asks if there is any way to steer or influence the island's drift.

_She seeks a proactive solution, but Hobson replies that only God can help._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xx-in-the-offing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters