Mr.

Robinson, an intelligent, resourceful Swiss who, with his family, is

shipwrecked on an island near New Guinea. He represents many middle-class
virtues and beliefs, including a strong religious sentiment. Because of his good
sense, practical knowledge, and understanding of human nature, he and his
family succeed in establishing themselves on the island with European-type
civilization. When a ship calls at the island, Mr. Robinson decides to remain,
hoping that commerce will come and that his little colony will grow and prosper.

Mrs. Robinson
Mrs. Robinson, an intelligent, brave, and hardworking woman who is in her way
as resourceful as her husband. She improvises a great deal in making her family
comfortable and happy. Her tasks are housekeeping and care of the crops and
animals. Like her husband, she chooses to remain on the island.

Fritz Robinson
Fritz Robinson, the oldest of the Robinson boys. He grows up on the island to
become a gentlemanly, courageous young man. He learns how to accept
responsibility and to carry out difficult tasks requiring initiative and courage.
Unlike his father, he wants to return to Europe and does so when the opportunity
comes.

Emily Montrose
Emily Montrose, a young English girl shipwrecked on the island. She is rescued
by Fritz, who brings her to his familys settlement. Emily is the daughter of an
English army officer and is on her way home from India. She and Fritz fall in love
and plan to marry upon their return to Europe.

Ernest Robinson
Ernest Robinson, the second of the Robinson boys. He has a great interest in
natural history, and his previous studies help the family very much, for he is able
to identify plants and animals for various purposes.

Jack Robinson
Jack Robinson, the third of the Robinson children. He contributes to the familys
welfare by helping his mother tend the animals and crops.
Francis Robinson
Francis Robinson, the youngest of the Robinson children. He is the pet of the rest
of the family and thoroughly enjoys his childhood on the island.

Of all the passengers and crew on board the ship, only the Robinson family is
saved when the vessel breaks apart on a reef and the crew and other passengers
jump into lifeboats without waiting for the little family to join them. As the ship
tosses about, the father prays that God will spare them. There is plenty of food
on board, and after they eat, the boys go to sleep, leaving the father and the
mother to guard them.

In the morning their first concern is to get to the island they can see beyond the
reef. With much effort, they construct a vessel out of tubs. After they fill the tubs
with food and ammunition and all other articles of value they can safely carry,
they row toward the island. Two dogs from the ship swim beside them, and the
boys are glad they will have pets when they reach their new home.

Their first task on reaching the island is to erect a tent of sailcloth they brought
from the ship. They gather moss and dry it so that they will have some
protection from the ground when they sleep. They are able to find a lobster and
to shoot some game, thus to add fresh food to their supplies. Since they have no
utensils for eating, they use shells for spoons, all dipping out of the iron kettle
that they brought from the ship. They released some geese and pigeons while
they were still on the ship and brought two hens and two cocks with them. The
father knows that they must prepare for a long time on the island, and his
thoughts are as much on provisions for the future as for their immediate wants.

The father and Fritz, the oldest son, spend the next day exploring the island.
They find gourds from which they can make dishes and spoons, and many edible
fruits and roots. Coconuts, growing in abundance, provide a treat for the mother
and the younger boys. Fritz captures a small monkey, which he takes back for a
pet. The younger boys are enchanted with the mischievous little animal.

The Robinsons spend the next few days securing themselves against hunger and
danger from wild animals. The father and Fritz make several trips to the ship in
their efforts to bring ashore everything that they can possibly use. The
domesticated animals on the ship are towed back to the island. There is also a
great store of firearms and ammunition, hammocks for sleeping, carpenters
tools, lumber, cooking utensils, silverware, and dishes.

While the father and Fritz are salvaging these supplies, the mother and the
younger boys are working on the shore, sowing seeds, examining the contents of
the kegs that floated to shore, and in every way possible making the tent a more
livable home. The mother and boys also explore the island to find a spot for a
more permanent home. When the father and Fritz can join them, the whole
family helps to construct a tree house that will give them protection from wild
animals that they fear might dwell on the island.

Through the following weeks, each day brings a new adventure of some kind.
There are encounters with wild birds and terrifying animals. Ernest, the second
son, studied nature with great interest before their ill-fated voyage, and he
identifies many of the animals and birds. They find...