The Coral Island (Wordsworth Children's Classics)

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Chapter Ten. Make discovery of many excellent roots and fruits—The resources of the coral island gradually unfolded—The banyan tree—Another tree which is supported by natural planks—Water-fowl found—A very remarkable discovery, and a very peculiar murder—We luxuriate on the fat of the land. For the next five minutes I know not what I did; the intensity of my feelings almost bereft me of my senses. But I was recalled to myself by Peterkin seizing me by the shoulders and staring wildly into my face, while he exclaimed, “Ralph! Ralph! perhaps he has only fainted! Dive for him, Ralph!”

Hannabuss, Stuart (1995), "Moral Islands: A Study of Robert Michael Ballantyne, Writer for Children", Scottish Literary Journal, 22 (2): 29–40 Oh dear!” he sighed; “I would not care a button for the cooking of our victuals—perhaps they don’t need it—but it’s so dismal to eat one’s supper in the dark, and we have had such a capital day that it’s a pity to finish off in this glum style. Oh, I have it!” he cried, starting up: “the spy-glass—the big glass at the end is a burning-glass!” The novel was still considered a classic for English primary school children in the early 20th century. [59] In the United States it was long a staple of suggested reading lists for high-school students; such a list, discussed in a 1915 article in The English Journal, recommends the novel in the category "Stories for Boys in Easy Style". [60] A simplified adaptation of the book was recommended in the 1950s for American 12–14 year olds. [61] [62] Although mostly neglected by modern scholars [26] and generally considered to be dated in many aspects, in 2006 it was voted one of the top twenty Scottish novels at the 15th International World Wide Web Conference. [63] Influence [ edit ] Well, suppose I were to print it and send it to you in the form of a book, would it not be as good and useful as ever?” The three boys sail to the island of Mango, where a missionary has converted some of the population to Christianity. There they once again meet Tararo, whose daughter Avatea wishes to become a Christian against her father's wishes. The boys attempt to take Avatea in a small boat to a nearby island the chief of which has been converted, but en route they are overtaken by one of Tararo's war canoes and taken prisoner. They are released a month later after the arrival of another missionary, and Tararo's conversion to Christianity. The " false gods" [30] of Mango are consigned to the flames, and the boys set sail for home, older and wiser. They return as adults for another adventure in Ballantyne's 1861 novel The Gorilla Hunters, a sequel to The Coral Island. [31] [32] Genre and style [ edit ]

a b Cox, Michael; Riches, Christopher (2012), "Ballantyne, R. M. [Robert Michael Ballantyne] (1825–1894) Scottish novelist", A Dictionary of Writers and their Works (onlineed.), Oxford University Press, doi: 10.1093/acref/9780199585052.001.0001, ISBN 9780199585052 Peterkin now shrieked with laughter; but his merriment was abruptly put a stop to by the gurgling noise occurring close to where he stood.

Got him this time—that’s a fact!” cried Peterkin, hauling in the line. “He’s swallowed the bait right down to his tail, I declare! Oh, what a thumper!” I have to say that thirteen-year-old, Peterkin Gay was my favorite. He was lively, humorous, incredibly energetic, and mischievous. What he said and the way he acted was incredibly hilarious, making for many ‘Laugh out loud’ moments. But he also has a real depth to him that shows on those rare occasions. :) The string of the bow was formed of our piece of whip-cord, part of which, as he did not like to cut it, was rolled round the bow. What good will that do us?” said Peterkin. “There’s wood enough on the island to make a thousand oars.”

CHAPTER II.

This book was written in first-person point-of-view, and Ralph Rover is our very own ‘Story-teller’, or narrator. Ralph was philosophical, studious, and absolutely charming. He often trails off into deep patterns of thought, which is quite interesting, and, honestly, kind of fun. Suffice to say, I loved him. (But you really can’t help but love all the boys.) R.M.Ballantyne was a very prolific writer and wrote more than 80 books, most of which were YA adventure stories like this one, set in different parts of the world. He did his research before writing a book – not like people do today by googling or searching in Wikipedia, but actually going to the places which were featured in the story, living there for a while, and sometimes working there. One can feel that authenticity coming through in 'The Coral Island' in his descriptions of the places and of nature. How he managed to do this extensive kind of first-hand research in the 19th century, when travelling was hard, boggles our imagination. While thus meditating, I naturally bethought me of my Bible, for I had faithfully kept the promise which I gave at parting to my beloved mother—that I would read it every morning; and it was with a feeling of dismay that I remembered I had left it in the ship. I was much troubled about this. However, I consoled myself with reflecting that I could keep the second part of my promise to her—namely, that I should never omit to say my prayers. So I rose quietly lest I should disturb my companions, who were still asleep, and stepped aside into the bushes for this purpose. Of course it all ends up ok, because one day they're led from prison and their bonds are cut and it's all because a really convincing missionary (separate from the existing Island Missionary, who I guess didn't have the chops) showed up and convinced the Chief to convert to Christianity and he builds a church and lets the Island Girl love who she pleases. And she gets to marry her Christian chief and the guys say "Phew, I guess we can go home now."

While Peterkin ran on in this style my faculties became quite clear again, and I began to understand my position. “What do you mean by saying I half-choked you, Peterkin?” said I. McNamara, Eugene (1965), "Holden as Novelist", English Journal, 54 (3): 166–170, doi: 10.2307/811334, JSTOR 811334 Pooh! is that all?” exclaimed Peterkin, wiping the perspiration off his forehead. “Why, I thought it was all the wild men and beasts in the South Sea Islands, galloping on in one grand charge to sweep us off the face of the earth, instead of a mere stone tumbling down the mountain-side!” The pole which Peterkin had cut was full twelve feet long, being a very strong but light and tough young tree, which merely required thinning at the butt to be a serviceable weapon. Although the first edition is dated 1858 it was on sale in bookshops from early December 1857; dating books forward was a common practice at the time, especially during the Christmas period, [12] to "preserve their newness" into the new year. [13] The Coral Island is Ballantyne's second novel, [14] [a] and has never been out of print. [15] He was an exceedingly prolific author who wrote more than 100 books in his 40-year career. [16] According to professor and author John Rennie Short, Ballantyne had a "deep religious conviction", and felt it his duty to educate Victorian middle-class boys– his target audience– in "codes of honour, decency, and religiosity". [17]Short, John Rennie (2002), Imagined Country: Society, Culture, and Environment, Syracuse University Press, ISBN 978-0-8156-2954-2 What can it be?” said Peterkin in a low whisper, while we all involuntarily crept closer to each other. And I’ve been round it, no times at all,” cried Peterkin with an impudent wink in his eye, “an’ that time I wos blow’d inside out!”