XVII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Hope and Despair

  M. Letourneur's grim assessment contrasts with Kazallon's attempts to remain hopeful, while Curtis's actions represent a practical hope through work.

• Leadership and Authority

  Curtis takes decisive action to extinguish the fire and manage the crew, earning the trust of passengers like M. Letourneur.

• Nature and the Sublime

  The uncharted reef and the vulnerability of the ship to wind and waves emphasize the power and unpredictability of nature.

Characters to notice

• M. Letourneur

  Expresses cautious pessimism about the ship's condition and the time needed for repairs, but trusts Curtis's command.

• Mr. Kazallon

  Narrates the chapter, converses with M. Letourneur, and proposes an exploration of the reef with the Letourneurs.

• Robert Curtis

  Actively works to extinguish the fire by saturating the cotton bales and manages the crew and pumps.

• André Letourneur

  Participates in conversations with Kazallon and his father, and is invited to join the reef exploration.

• Mr. Falsten

  Remains absorbed in his calculations and mechanical diagrams, aloof from others.

• Miss Herbey

  Kept away from the other passengers by Mr. and Mrs. Kear, limiting her social interactions.

Key passages

• “But surely,” I protested, “it will not be difficult to throw overboard a few hundred bales of cotton; two or three days at most will suffice for that.” “Likely enough,” he replied, “when the business is once begun; but you must remember, Mr. Kazallon, that the very heart of the cargo is still smouldering, and that it will still be several days before anyone will be able to venture into the hold.”

  Kazallon suggests quickly jettisoning cotton bales, but M. Letourneur explains the fire deep in the cargo makes the hold inaccessible for days.

  Highlights the difficulty of extinguishing the fire and the delay it causes.

• “Prompted by this conversation with M. Letourneur I took the first opportunity of trying to ascertain from Curtis himself, how long he reckoned we should be obliged to remain upon the reef; but he merely replied, that it must depend upon circumstances, and that he hoped the weather would continue favourable.”

  Kazallon asks Curtis how long they will be stranded, but Curtis gives a non-committal answer, expressing hope for good weather.

  Shows Curtis's cautious leadership and the uncertainty of their situation.

• “Since it appears likely that we shall have abundance of time on our hands, I have proposed to M. Letourneur and his son that we shall together explore the reef on which we are stranded.”

  With time to spare, Kazallon suggests exploring the reef with the Letourneurs to pass the time and map the area.

  Introduces a plan for productive activity amid the crisis.