The
Swiss Family Robinson-Unabridged
The Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann D. Wyss tells of
the adventures of Mother, Father, Fritz, Earnest, Jack, and Franz after they
escape the wreckage of their ship bound for New Guinea. Throughout their
adventures, horrors, battles, and discoveries this amazing fictional family
still have faith in their Creator. They also build a vast array of
fortifications for safety, as well as, ‘summer’ homes for pleasure. The whole
family also displays an uncanny ability to invent items not only of necessity,
but for their relative ease and comfort throughout their recorded stay on the
island.
Originally
the Robinsons set sail from Switzerland to come and settle the colony of New
Guinea and as a result embark on a ship laden with supplies for the would-be
settlers of the distant colony: these stores prove to be very valuable after
the shipwreck the family endures. After contriving a “tub” boat the family
reaches the shore and afterward begin to search for the rest of the crew, which
they sadly conclude must have perished at sea. The Robinson family builds
several structures including a fortress on a nearby island, a farm, and a cave
home with rooms made of bamboo walls. The family discovers many things, from
how to harvest the marine life that comes in such abundance that at times it
can simply be grabbed and thrown upon the shore to building their home; and
raising and taming numerous animals. The Robinson boys, especially adventurous,
help their father explore parts of the island and while doing so discover
animals from buffalos to elephants and vegetation from sugar canes to wild
potatoes.
The family
contrives, a rowing machine, forge, mill, and oyster scooping arm, to name a
few. They engage in battles with a huge boa constrictor, wild boar, whale and
even a lion! Repeatedly, Father instructs his family in the Word of God by
reading the Scripture on their ‘holiday,’ continuing to stress the importance
of rest on the Sabbath, and continual thanks to God for deliverance form the
waves, snake, and other hardships. On several occasions the Robinson men also
battle with apes that have on multiple occasions destroyed their buildings and
wreaked all kinds of havoc to their distant farm and animals. At one point, the
eldest son, Fritz, locates a young English woman who has also been stranded on
the island for nearly three years and after being introduced to the Robinsons
she comes to live with them for a short while before their whereabouts are
finally discovered. Finally, after living on the Island for nearly ten years
they found by English men, who are lead by the father of the young English
woman.
In summary,
the story of The Swiss Family Robinson
is exciting and adventurous. Whether they are building a home, plowing a field,
fighting a battle, or inventing another clever contraption the Robinsons
exhibit refreshingly Biblical principles such as prayer, thankfulness,
endurance, and hard work. This family’s ingenuity is an inspiration to many
people because they are inspired to work harder, be more thankful and give the
credit of their salvation to HIM rather than claiming all honor for their own
self-sufficiency. Therefore, this book is a great classic to put into the hands
of young people.
In
evaluation, one can not only be refreshed by the Biblical content of the book
and the emphasis on prayer, but one can pleasurably rest and have his
imagination filled with images of the vividly depicted land, buildings, and
tools with which the boys and Father work with so often. Primarily the story is
a helpful read, which has the potential to teach many people, especially young
men, the importance of character, hard work, determination, proficiency,
imagination, ingenuity and a wide spectrum of other admirable qualities.
