# The Island Becomes and Islet explained — The Fur Country

> Chapter companion for The Fur Country by Jules Verne.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi-the-island-becomes-and-islet
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters