The Mysterious Island · Chapter
LII explained
Herbert is carried back to Granite House in a critical condition, suffering from a pernicious fever.
What happens
Herbert is carried back to Granite House in a critical condition, suffering from a pernicious fever. The colonists discover the devastation wrought by the convicts on the plateau. Despite using willow bark as a makeshift febrifuge, Herbert's condition worsens, and he appears near death. At the last moment, a mysterious box of sulphate of quinine appears on his bedside table, offering a potential cure.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Self-Reliance
The colonists use willow bark as a substitute for quinine, demonstrating their resourcefulness in the face of Herbert's life-threatening fever.
Providence and Mystery
The sudden appearance of the box of sulphate of quinine at the critical moment suggests a mysterious benefactor or providential intervention.
Characters to notice
- Herbert Brown
Lying unconscious and feverish after being transported; suffers a pernicious fever and is near death.
- Gideon Spilett
Watches over Herbert, diagnoses the pernicious fever, and despairs at the lack of quinine.
- Pencroff
Watches beside Herbert, becomes hopeful then distraught; points out the mysterious box of quinine.
- Cyrus Smith
Visits the devastated plateau with Neb; cuts willow bark for a febrifuge; is told by Spilett of the dire prognosis.
- Neb
Relates the convict attack on the plateau; sent Jup to warn the corral; helps put out the fire and tends to Herbert.
- Top
Barks strangely during Herbert's crisis, alerting the colonists.
Key passages
“Herbert carried to Granite House—Neb relates what had happened—Visit of Smith to the plateau—Ruin and devastation—The colonists helpless—Willow bark—A mortal fever—Top barks again.”
Herbert is brought back to Granite House; Neb recounts the convict attack; Smith surveys the ruined plateau; the colonists are powerless; they use willow bark for the fever; Top barks ominously.
Opening summary of the chapter's key events.
“It is a pernicious fever!”
This is a dangerous, recurring fever that often proves fatal.
Spilett's diagnosis of Herbert's condition.
“Suddenly Pencroff, uttering an exclamation, pointed to something on that table. It was a small oblong box, bearing these words:— Sulphate of quinine.”
Pencroff cries out and points to a small box on the table labeled 'Sulphate of quinine.'
The miraculous appearance of the life-saving medicine.