# Antwerp to Boom explained — Travel Essays

> Chapter companion for Travel Essays by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

The chapter describes the departure from Antwerp docks with the canoes Arethusa and Cigarette, the author's first experience sailing a canoe, reflections on courage and self-discovery, the journey up the Scheldt and Rupel rivers, and the arrival at Boom with its brickyards and the disappointing Hôtel de la Navigation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Travel and Discovery

The author's first canoe sailing experience and the journey up the rivers embody the spirit of exploration and personal discovery.

### Human Connection and Community

Interactions with the English maid and the engineer apprentices highlight the challenges and curiosities of cross-cultural communication.

## Character check-ins

### The Cigarette

Launches into the water from Antwerp docks.

### The Arethusa

Follows the Cigarette into the Scheldt.

## Key lines

> I suppose it was almost as trying a venture into the regions of the unknown as to publish a first book, or to marry.

The author compares his first canoe sail to the uncertainties of publishing a book or getting married.

_Reflects on the anxiety of new experiences._

> It is certainly easier to smoke with the sheet fastened; but I had never before weighed a comfortable pipe of tobacco against an obvious risk, and gravely elected for the comfortable pipe.

The author chooses the comfort of smoking over safety, tying the sail sheet despite the risk.

_Illustrates a philosophical reflection on risk and comfort._

> Boom is not a nice place, and is only remarkable for one thing: that the majority of the inhabitants have a private opinion that they can speak English, which is not justified by fact.

Boom's notable feature is its residents' unfounded confidence in their English-speaking ability.

_Humorous observation about local pretensions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/antwerp-to-boom
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/travel_essays_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters