# XXXVI explained — The Swiss Family Robinson

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

## What happens

The family completes their rock dwelling (Arcadia) before the rainy season, constructing internal divisions, plastering walls, and making carpets from goat hair and wool. They establish a chapel for Sunday worship, and the father builds a boat from tree bark. They also fortify a narrow pass with trees and a drawbridge to deter savages and contain pigs. The chapter reflects on their contentment, industry, and gratitude toward Providence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Resourcefulness and Industry

The family manufactures carpets, a boat, and home furnishings from available materials through persistent labor.

### Gratitude and Contentment

The family expresses deep thankfulness for Providence and finds happiness in their simple, industrious life.

### Providence and Faith

Regular Sunday worship in the crystal chapel and repeated acknowledgments of divine guidance and goodness.

## Character check-ins

### Father

Leads the construction of the boat, fortifications, and home improvements; preaches sermons in the chapel.

### Mother

Sews sailcloth for carpets, operates spinning-wheel and loom, sings with a sweet voice in concerts.

### Jack

Helps with boat construction and fortifications; plays a flageolet and has a natural inclination for music.

### Francis

Also plays a flageolet and joins in musical concerts with his mother.

### Ernest

Assists in various tasks, including the boat project and fortifications.

### Fritz

Dispatched to Tent-House to fetch the sledge for boat completion.

## Key lines

> We had an inexpressible longing to find ourselves domiciliated and at leisure to converse together on the subject of all the wondrous benefits bestowed upon us by an ever-watchful and beneficent Providence!

They eagerly anticipated settling in and discussing the many blessings given by a caring Providence.

_Expresses gratitude and faith._

> We thus produced a very tolerable substitute for that enviable article of European comfort, a carpet

They made a decent replacement for a European carpet.

_Demonstrates resourcefulness._

> Divine service was performed in it regularly every Sunday: I had raised a sort of pulpit, from which I pronounced such discourses as I had framed for the instruction of my affectionate group of auditors.

They held church services every Sunday, with the father preaching from a makeshift pulpit.

_Highlights religious practice._

## Links

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