# The Discovery of the Lake and the Building of Arcadia explained — The Swiss Family Robinson

> Chapter companion for The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss.

## What happens

The family explores a marsh and discovers a lake, where they observe black swans and a strange duck-billed creature. They gather wild rice and strawberries, then return to the farm. After completing work there, they journey to Cape Disappointment and build a second cottage, which they name Arcadia.

## Themes in this chapter

### Resourcefulness and Industry

The family efficiently builds a second cottage in six days, using prior experience, and dispatches Fritz and Jack for supplies to sustain their work.

### Nature and Divine Order

The father's emotional response to the lake and the observation of black swans and other wildlife emphasize the beauty and order of the natural world.

### Gratitude and Contentment

The family expresses joy at the strawberries and rice, and the father names the new site 'Arcadia' as a symbol of contentment and harmony.

## Character check-ins

### Father

Leads the exploration, gathers rice, and decides to build a second cottage at Cape Disappointment, naming it Arcadia.

### Ernest

Collects strawberries for his mother, demonstrates skill in shooting birds, and remains calm and observant throughout the journey.

### Fritz

Dispatched with Jack to fetch supplies from Falcon's Stream and Tent-House; returns successfully.

### Jack

Accompanies Fritz on the supply mission and helps quicken the old ass's pace with a whip.

### Knips

Discovers a patch of large strawberries, which the family then eats.

### Ponto

Retrieves a duck-billed creature from the water and carries Knips on his back during the walk.

## Key lines

> How glad I am to see a lake! I could almost think myself in Switzerland, father, said Ernest.

Ernest expresses joy at seeing the lake, which reminds him of Switzerland.

_Highlights the family's nostalgia for their homeland._

> We threw ourselves upon the ground, as near to Knips as we could creep, and devoured as fast as we could swallow, till we felt sufficiently refreshed.

The family imitates Knips the monkey and eagerly eats the strawberries he discovered.

_Shows the family's resourcefulness and willingness to learn from animals._

> Let us build here, exclaimed I, and call the spot—Arcadia; to which my wife and all agreed.

The father proposes building a cottage at the new site and naming it Arcadia, and the family agrees.

_Marks the establishment of a second home, symbolizing hope and permanence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters