# LII explained — The Mysterious Island

> Chapter companion for The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/lii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_island_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters