The Fur Country · Chapter
The Island Becomes and Islet explained
The island has stopped drifting, now stationary in the ocean.
What happens
The island has stopped drifting, now stationary in the ocean. The colonists complete their raft, but face new dangers as the freshwater lake turns salty, indicating the island's base is melting. Hobson decides to embark on the raft, but a storm delays the evacuation. The animals and birds sense the impending dissolution, and the colonists prepare for the final abandonment of their home.
Themes in this chapter
Survival Against Nature
The colonists face the imminent dissolution of their island home and must rely on a fragile raft, highlighting their struggle against the relentless forces of the sea and ice.
Human Resilience and Camaraderie
Despite the emotional attachment to the island and the dread of the raft, the group works together to prepare provisions and the raft, showing their collective resilience.
Characters to notice
- Lieutenant Jaspar Hobson
Takes bearings, calls meetings, inspects the raft, and decides on the evacuation plan despite the emotional attachment to the island.
- Mrs. Paulina Barnett
Observes the departure of birds and discusses the ominous signs with Madge; provides spiritual comfort with her remark about divine power.
- Madge
Walks with Mrs. Barnett on the beach and notes the animals' unease as a warning.
- Mac-Nab
Constructs the large cabin on the raft and oversees its building.
- Mrs. Joliffe
Discovers the lake water has turned salty and disputes with Hope about its source.
- Michael Hope
Fetches water from the lake and is involved in the dispute over its salinity.
Key passages
“Nothing is impossible to Him who rules the winds and waves.”
Mrs. Barnett expresses faith that divine power can overcome any natural obstacle.
Reflects the spiritual hope amid the crisis.
“No more fresh water!”
The colonists panic upon discovering the lake has become salty.
Highlights the sudden loss of a vital resource.
“We can always melt a piece of our island, and I don’t suppose we shall drink it all.”
Hobson reassures the group that melting ice from the island will provide fresh water.
Shows Hobson's attempt to maintain morale with grim humor.