LII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Hope and Despair

  Kazallon's suicidal despair contrasts with Curtis's faint hope of land, and the lottery introduces a grim new dynamic among the survivors.

• Survival and Sacrifice

  Kazallon's attempt to drink his own blood and the impending lottery highlight the desperate measures taken for survival.

• Human Nature and Morality

  The chapter explores the moral boundaries of self-preservation and the psychological breaking point under extreme suffering.

Characters to notice

• Robert Curtis

  Curtis remains steadfast at his post, refusing to abandon his duty despite the hopelessness, and tries to restrain Kazallon from suicide.

• Mr. Kazallon

  Kazallon is consumed by despair and thirst, contemplates and attempts suicide by drinking his own blood, and is only halted by the announcement of a lottery.

• Dowlas

  Dowlas breaks the tension by proposing that the survivors draw lots, an act that interrupts Kazallon's suicide attempt.

• M. Letourneur

  Kazallon wishes to speak to M. Letourneur before dying but lacks the courage to face him.

• André Letourneur

  Kazallon also thinks of André Letourneur as someone he would like to speak to before his intended death.

• Miss Herbey

  Kazallon fears meeting Miss Herbey's gaze, knowing she would speak of duty, God, and eternity, which might dissuade him from suicide.

Key passages

• “I told Curtis, with the utmost composure, of my intention, and he received the intelligence as calmly as it was delivered. 'Of course you will do as you please,' he said; 'for my own part, I shall not abandon my post. It is my duty to remain here, and unless death comes to carry me away, I shall stay where I am to the very last.'”

  Kazallon calmly informs Curtis of his plan to kill himself, and Curtis responds with equal calmness, stating that he will not abandon his duty and will remain on the raft until death takes him.

  Highlights the contrast between Kazallon's despair and Curtis's unwavering sense of duty.

• “What if instead of drinking the blood of others I were to drink my own? It would be all unavailing, I was well aware, but scarcely had the thought crossed my mind, than I proceeded to put it into execution. I unclasped my knife, and, stripping my arm, with a steady thrust I opened a small vein.”

  Kazallon considers drinking his own blood to quench his thirst, and despite knowing it will not help, he immediately cuts his arm and drinks the blood.

  Illustrates the extreme physical desperation and the breakdown of rational thought under severe thirst.

• “Just as I was on the point of casting myself headlong into the sea, a voice, which I recognized as Dowlas's; broke upon my ear. 'Captain,' he said, 'we are going to draw lots.' Involuntarily I paused; I did not take my plunge, but returned to my place upon the raft.”

  As Kazallon is about to jump into the sea to end his life, Dowlas announces that they will draw lots, causing Kazallon to stop and return to his spot on the raft.

  The lottery announcement interrupts Kazallon's suicide and introduces a new, horrifying turn of events.