The Swiss Family Robinson · Chapter
Building the Ladder and Settling in the Giant Tree explained
The family constructs a ladder from bamboo canes to ascend a giant tree, where they plan to sleep safely.
What happens
The family constructs a ladder from bamboo canes to ascend a giant tree, where they plan to sleep safely. They hunt flamingos, prepare a meal, and secure their animals for the night. The father uses geometry to measure the tree's height, and they settle into hammocks, grateful for their progress.
Themes in this chapter
Resourcefulness and Industry
The father repurposes bamboo canes for a ladder, uses geometry to measure the tree, and creates a makeshift ointment for the flamingo's wounds.
Gratitude and Contentment
The family expresses contentment with their hammocks and meal, and the father reminds the boys to be satisfied with their accommodations.
Education and Moral Instruction
The father teaches Fritz to apply geometry lessons from Europe to measure the tree, and instructs the boys on contentment and kindness.
Characters to notice
- Father
Leads the construction of the ladder, measures the tree using geometry, and organizes the family's nightly defense with fires.
- Fritz
Shoots a flamingo, carries the dead bird, and later cares for the wounded flamingo; recalls geometry lessons from Europe.
- Ernest
Discovers bamboo canes in a bog, helps carry them, and prepares the porcupine for supper on a spit.
- Jack
Participates in carrying bamboo and is involved in the evening activities, though not prominently featured.
- Mother
Prepares harnesses for the animals, cooks supper, and expresses concern about feeding the growing number of animals.
- Ponto
Accompanies the hunting party, helps catch the wounded flamingo, and carries the dead flamingo on his back.
Key passages
“I however desired her immediately to begin preparing the harness for the animals, that they might go to the seashore and fetch the pieces of wood, and such articles as I might find necessary for enabling us to ascend the tree”
He asked his wife to make harnesses so the animals could carry wood from the shore for building a ladder to climb the tree.
Shows the family's collaborative effort and the father's planning.
“I will not fatigue the reader with a minute account of the geometrical process I adopted, as a substitute for the proper instruments; it is sufficient to let him know, that the means I used, answered my purpose, and that I found that the height of our tree was forty feet”
He skips the detailed geometry but confirms the tree was forty feet tall, measured using improvised methods.
Highlights the father's practical application of education.
“Ah, gentlemen, cried I, you must try to be contented; no sailor is ever better accommodated than you are now, and you must not expect beds to drop from the clouds on your behalf!”
He told the boys to be grateful for their hammocks, as sailors often have no better, and not to expect luxuries to appear magically.
Emphasizes the theme of gratitude and contentment.