# XIV: The Sending Boat Disappeareth from the Isle of Increase Unsought, and Birdalone Seeketh to Escape Thence by Swimming explained — The Water of the Wondrous Isles

> Chapter companion for The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.

## What happens

Birdalone returns to the Isle of Increase Unsought, now a barren and poisoned waste, and finds the Sending Boat gone. In despair, she strips off her armor and clothes, burns two hairs from Habundia's tress as a plea for help, then plunges into the lake to swim for her life.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Autonomy

Birdalone takes decisive action to escape the desolate isle by swimming, refusing to passively await death.

### Journey and Quest

Birdalone's quest continues as she faces a critical obstacle and must find a new way forward.

## Character check-ins

### Birdalone

Returns to the desolate isle, loses the Sending Boat, and decides to swim away in desperation.

### Habundia

Invoked by Birdalone through the burning of hairs from the tress she gave her years ago.

## Key lines

> this hideous land shall not mock my dying anguish; I will give myself to the water and let it do with me as it will.

Birdalone resolves to entrust herself to the lake rather than perish on the cursed isle.

_Demonstrates her defiance and willingness to risk everything._

> O wood-mother, if only thou couldst know of me and see me, thou wouldst help me!

Birdalone calls out to Habundia, hoping for supernatural aid.

_Shows her reliance on the bond with the wood-wife._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xiv-the-sending-boat-disappeareth-from-the-isle-of-increase-unsought-and-birdalone-seeketh-to-escape-thence-by-swimming
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters