The Coral Island (Wordsworth Children's Classics)

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An old pistol,” replied Peterkin, holding up the weapon, which he had just pulled from under a heap of broken wood and rubbish that lay in a corner. Chapter Nine. Prepare for a journey round the island—Sagacious reflections—Mysterious appearances and startling occurrences. Stop!” cried I, laying my hand on his shoulder. “I do believe the poor beast is blind. See, it strikes against the branches as it walks along. It must be a very old one;” and I hastened towards it. It was a riveting and intriguing story of three boys trapped on a lonely coral island out in the Pacific Ocean, and the many adventures and perilous happenings that befell them. Suffice to say, I loved it! I am sure it will remain my favorite, or at least one of my favorites, of Ballantyne’s many novels.

More interesting, though, is Ballantyne’s presentation of the natives on the surrounding islands. It is important to remember that, whilst travel was becoming more popular during this period, there were still many people who had never left Europe. This meant that a lot of fears began to circulate: people did not really know what other countries were like – they were only hearing stories about them from the rich and the adventurous. This is why the villain inBram Stoker’s Draculais from a foreign country; people didn’t understand cultures that were different from their own, and this allowed beliefs in the supernatural to flourish.

CHAPTER XIV.

That’s true, Ralph. The day is pretty far advanced, and I doubt if I can make even one bow before dark. To be sure, I might work by firelight after the sun goes down.” a b c Rennie, Neil (2004), "Ballantyne, Robert Michael (1825–1894)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (onlineed.), Oxford University Press, doi: 10.1093/ref:odnb/1232 , retrieved 17 December 2013 (Subscription or UK public library membership required.) 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.

When we awoke on the following morning we found that the sun was already a good way above the horizon, so I came to the conclusion that a heavy supper is not conducive to early rising. Never-the-less, we felt remarkably strong and well, and much disposed to have our breakfast. First, however, we had our customary morning bathe, which refreshed us greatly. 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.If I wanted sport, Ralph, I would certainly set them up; but as we only want pork, we’ll let them lie. Besides, we’re not sure of killing them; so, fire away.” While we were thus engaged we were startled by a distant, but most strange and horrible, cry. It seemed to come from the sea, but was so far away that we could not clearly distinguish its precise direction. Rushing out of our bower, we hastened down to the beach and stayed to listen. Again it came, quite loud and distinct on the night air—a prolonged, hideous cry, something like the braying of an ass. The moon had risen, and we could see the islands in and beyond the lagoon quite plainly; but there was no object visible to account for such a cry. A strong gust of wind was blowing from the point whence the sound came, but this died away while we were gazing out to sea. It might seem a lot to take in, but from the get-go, you’re pulled into a strangely familiar world as his soft North-West accent invites: “On Coral Island, you can fall in love/All the piers and promenades on the boardwalks and bridleways of innocent dreams…”

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 ] Ward, Simon (2007), "The Economics of Authorship", in Finkelstein, David; McCleery, Alistair (eds.), The Edinburgh History of the Book in Scotland: Professionalism and Diversity 1880–2000, vol.4, Edinburgh University Press, pp.409–430, ISBN 978-0-7486-1829-3 Assuma, Daniel J. (1953), "A List of Simplified Classics", College English, 42 (2): 94–96, doi: 10.2307/808695, JSTOR 808695 Never,” I replied. “It appears to me like fairy realms. I can scarcely believe that we are not dreaming.” In a few minutes we were all three pushing through the underwood of the forest, headed by Peterkin.

While on our way up we came to an object which filled us with much interest. This was the stump of a tree that had evidently been cut down with an axe! So, then, we were not the first who had viewed this beautiful isle. The hand of man had been at work there before us. It now began to recur to us again that perhaps the island was inhabited, although we had not seen any traces of man until now. But a second glance at the stump convinced us that we had not more reason to think so now than formerly; for the surface of the wood was quite decayed and partly covered with fungus and green matter, so that it must have been cut many years ago. Chapter Five. Morning, and cogitations connected therewith—We luxuriate in the sea, try our diving powers, and make enchanting excursions among the coral groves at the bottom of the ocean—The wonders of the deep enlarged upon. 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."