Under the Rock explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Morality and Hypocrisy

  Davy's self-proclaimed Christianity is undercut by his racist views and his concern for salvage over human life, highlighting the hypocrisy of his moral stance.

• Family and Orphanhood

  Davy's concern for Bardie and Bunny, and his memory of his dead son Harry, emphasize themes of family, care, and loss.

• Maritime Life and Adventure

  The detailed description of the storm, shipwreck, and Davy's seafaring knowledge grounds the chapter in maritime experience.

Characters to notice

• Davy Llewellyn

  Observes the wreck of a slave ship, reflects on the storm, and searches for Bardie and Bunny, finding them safe.

• Bardie

  Found asleep with Bunny in a sheltered spot, nestled in Bunny's lap.

• Bunny

  Found asleep with Bardie, having covered her with her skirt; shows care and protection.

• Sandy Macraw

  Mentioned as having witnessed the boats' destruction from Porthcawl Point through a telescope.

Key passages

• “Under its weight the flat sea quivered, and the crests flew into foam, and the scourge upon the waters seemed to beat them all together.”

  The wind pressed down on the sea, making it tremble and turning the wave tops into foam, as if the storm was lashing the water into a single mass.

  Davy's vivid description of the storm's power over the sea.

• “I saw at once what her business was, to bring from the West Indies sugar, rum, and suchlike freight, to Bristol, or to the Dutchmen. This was in her clearance-bill; but behind that she had other import not so clearly entered. In a word, she carried negroes...”

  I quickly understood that the ship was officially carrying sugar and rum from the West Indies, but its real cargo was enslaved Africans, being smuggled for sale.

  Davy reveals the ship's true purpose as a slave trader.

• “I was forced to shut my eyes; till a grey squall came, and caught her up, as if she had been a humming-top, and flung her (as we drown a kitten) into the mashing waters.”

  I had to look away until a squall lifted the ship like a toy and threw it into the churning sea.

  Davy's reaction to the ship's destruction.

• “But for all that I was right down glad—as a man of loving-kindness—that such a pelt of rain came up as saved me from the discomfort—or pain, if you must have the truth—of beholding several score, no doubt, of unfortunate blacks a-drowning.”

  Still, I was relieved that the heavy rain hid the sight of dozens of drowning black people, sparing me the distress of watching.

  Davy's conflicted feelings of relief and discomfort at the deaths.

• “I came on those two little dears, fast asleep in innocence. A perfect nest of peace they had, as if beneath their Father’s eye, and by His own hand made for them.”

  I found the two children sleeping peacefully, as if protected by God in a safe haven.

  Davy's discovery of Bardie and Bunny safe from the storm.