Escape to the Island
by Johann David Wyss
Making Connection
Quick answer
1. Stories give us a lens through which we look at the world. Point of view is the way the writer allows us to see and hear the events in a story. Read the story and choose the correct answer.
a. The narrator is/is not a character in the story.
b. The story is told from Franz's/Mr Robin's point of view.
c. The story is told from the first/third person point of view.
Reference to context
2. "When we had finished searching, we reassembled in the cabin. We all displayed our treasures."
a. What is meant by 'treasures' here?
= The remaining useful things from the wrecked ship are meant by 'treasures' here.
b. What did everyone bring?
= The narrator brought food and fresh water. Fritz brought flasks of water. Ernest produced a cap full of nails, a pair of large scissors and a hammer.
c. Whose 'treasures' was Mr. Robinson not pleased about? Why?
= Mr. Robinson was not pleased about Jack's 'treasures'.
Jack had brought a couple of huge hungry useless dogs, who will eat more than any of them. This made Mr. Robinson displeased.
3. " 'Stop, my boy!' I said. 'All will be done in good time.' "
a. Who said this and to whom?
= The narrator Mr. Robinson said this to one of his sons named Fritz.
b. What was the speaker stopping the boy from?
= The speaker was stopping the boy from returning to the ship and bringing back some animals.
c. Do you think this was a reproach? Give a reason.
= I think this was not a reproach. The narrator along with his whole family were in danger. Their ship had wrecked. They were trying to save themselves. Their were scarcity of food and water.
Read, reflect and write
4. Why was it difficult to make it to the island close by?
= It was difficult to make it to the island close by because of the storm. They could not go forward heading to the island.
5. Why was a good meal necessary even though the Robinson family clearly could not make it to the nearest piece of land in the midst of the storm?
= A good meal was necessary even though the Robinson family clearly not make it to the nearest piece of land in the midst of the storm because if they fasted for long, it would have made them weak. They would need all their strength the next day to save themselves and reach a safer place.
6. What were the first few things the family did on reaching the island?
= On reaching the island, they started to look for a suitable place to make tent in which to pass the night. When that was done, the boys ran to collect grass to spread in the tent for their beds. The narrator collected wood to make a fire.
7. What adjectives would you use to describe Mrs. Robinson? Choose from the ones given in the box below and justify each choice by stating an example of her actions from the text.
[practical, nervous, wise, brave, afraid]
= Mrs. Robinson was brave at the beginning of the text. As the boys clustered around her, she began to cheer and encourage them with calm and loving words.
Then she brought the good news that some useful animals were still alive - a donkey, two goats, six sheep, a ram and a cow. They were nearly dead from starvation, but she was just in time to save their lives by taking food to them. Here she is practical and wise.
About the Author:
Johann David Wyss (1743-1818) was a Swiss priest who had four sons. He wrote The Swiss Family Robinson for them. He was inspired by Daniel Defoe's adventures story Robinson Crusoe. He wrote his book to teach his sons important lessons about family values and self-reliance. However, it is not merely an educational book; it is also full of exciting adventures.