The Swiss Family Robinson · Chapter
XXV explained
The family embarks on a new excursion to Cape Disappointment to cut bamboos for supporting their fruit trees.
What happens
The family embarks on a new excursion to Cape Disappointment to cut bamboos for supporting their fruit trees. Along the way, they gather guavas and wax berries, observe a colony of sociable grosbeaks, and harvest sugarcane. Ernest surprises everyone by climbing a cabbage palm tree and producing palm-wine, demonstrating his resourcefulness and earning praise. The chapter also includes a lesson on judging others' actions and a demonstration of a climbing technique using shagreen and a cord.
Themes in this chapter
Resourcefulness and Industry
Ernest's discovery of palm-wine and the family's systematic gathering of guavas, wax berries, and sugarcane highlight their industrious use of natural resources.
Education and Moral Instruction
Father delivers a lesson on suspending judgment and the value of concord, while Ernest's scientific approach to the palm tree exemplifies learning through observation.
Courage and Perseverance
The boys overcome the challenge of climbing tall trees using Father's shagreen-and-cord method, and Ernest demonstrates personal courage in climbing unaided.
Characters to notice
- Father
Leads the excursion, devises climbing aids, and delivers a moral lesson on judging others.
- Fritz
Accompanies the expedition and helps with climbing and gathering.
- Ernest
Climbs a cabbage palm tree, collects palm-wine, and demonstrates thoughtful resourcefulness.
- Jack
Eagerly joins the party, gathers guavas, and climbs trees for coconuts.
- Francis
Accompanies the family, asks innocent questions about enchanted forests, and is comforted by his mother.
- Mother
Joins the excursion, helps push the cart, and explains fairy tales to Francis.
- Knips
Imitates the boys by climbing a coconut tree and cracking nuts with amusing grimaces.
Key passages
“Let me also recommend to you to accustom yourselves to suspend your judgement on the actions of another, till those actions are complete and you are quite sure both of their object and effect.”
Father advises the family to withhold judgment about others' actions until they fully understand the intent and outcome.
A moral lesson on patience and fairness, prompted by the family's earlier misunderstanding of Ernest's behavior.
“I am sensible, my dear parents, that in our republic, or rather in our kingdom, (for our father is to us as a beloved sovereign, and our mother as a much cherished queen), I am I say sensible, that here, as in Europe, he who has sufficient talent to raise himself above the rest, is held in high consideration and esteem.”
Ernest acknowledges that in their family society, as in Europe, those who distinguish themselves through talent earn respect, and he resolves to contribute by climbing the palm tree.
Ernest's formal address reflects the theme of family hierarchy and the value of individual contribution to the common good.