The Swiss Family Robinson

Written as a first-person journal account, The Swiss Family Robinson never reveals the narrator’s full name. Robinson is the patriarch of the Robinson clan and its dominant authority figure. No one does anything on the island without consulting him first. Although he is the undisputed master of his household, he rules with a gentle hand, rarely exhibiting anger or frustration. His compassion is the result of two main factors: the docile compliance of his children and his religious devotion. Himself a minister, Wyss imbues his main character with the same spiritual serenity. Led by father Robinson, the family happily prays together, eats together, and cooperates without complaint to ensure their long-term survival.

That survival is rarely in doubt with Robinson at the helm. He is a true Renaissance man. His broad knowledge of botany, biology, engineering, geology, and world cultures makes him the 18th century version of Google. His expertise is so encyclopedic, he comes off more as a walking, talking textbook than a father and husband. This depiction serves Wyss’s purpose, however. His intention was never to create a work of literary realism but rather a moral guide for his children. In this respect, Robinson’s almost robotic persona fulfills that intention.