When the World Shook · Chapter
Land explained
The survivors land on the island of Orofena, where they encounter the native chief Marama and his people.
What happens
The survivors land on the island of Orofena, where they encounter the native chief Marama and his people. They establish communication, learn the island's name, and discover the natives worship a god named Oro. Bastin immediately attempts to convert them, while Bickley offers medical aid. The chapter also includes the reading of Jacobsen's prophetic letter about the shipwreck and the aftermath of the cyclone.
Themes in this chapter
Clash of Beliefs
Bastin's attempt to convert the natives to Christianity clashes with their existing worship of Oro, and Bickley's scientific skepticism contrasts with both.
Civilization and Barbarism
The Europeans view the natives as primitive and cannibalistic, while the natives are initially awed by the strangers' apparent divine powers.
Characters to notice
- Humphrey Arbuthnot
Narrates the chapter; reads Jacobsen's letter, interacts with natives, and survives the cyclone.
- Mr. Bastin
Attempts to convert the natives to Christianity; argues with Bickley about theology; survives the cyclone hanging from a towel.
- J. R. Bickley
Acts as the group's doctor and skeptic; offers to cure the chief's lump; engages in theological debates with Bastin.
- Marama
Chief of Orofena; welcomes the survivors and offers them food and shelter; asks about their intentions.
- Tommy
The spaniel; survives the cyclone and is mentioned as whimpering and licking Arbuthnot's face.
- Jacobsen
The Danish mate who deserted the ship; his letter predicting the wreck is read and discussed.
Key passages
“The reason, honoured Sir, that I am leaving the ship is that on the night I tore up the paper, the spirit controlling the planchette wrote these words: ‘After leaving Samoa the Star of the South will be wrecked in a hurricane and everybody on board drowned except A. B. and B. Get out of her! Get out of her! Don’t be a fool, Jacob, unless you want to come over here at once. Take our advice and get out of her and you will live to be old.— Skoll .’”
Jacobsen explains that a spirit named Skoll predicted via planchette that the yacht would be wrecked and only Arbuthnot, Bastin, and Bickley would survive, prompting him to desert the ship.
The letter reveals the supernatural prediction that foreshadows the shipwreck and the trio's survival.
“What is this place called? ... Orofena. That means a hill, or an island, or a hill in an island.”
Bastin asks the natives the name of the island, and they answer 'Orofena,' which Bickley interprets as meaning a hill or island.
This establishes the setting and the beginning of communication between the Europeans and the natives.
“I am Marama, the chief of Orofena. We have never seen men like you before, if you are men. What brought you here and with you that fierce and terrible animal, or evil spirit which makes a noise and bites?”
Chief Marama introduces himself and expresses awe and fear of the strangers and their dog, Tommy.
Highlights the natives' perception of the Europeans as possibly divine or supernatural beings.