# Peterkin Gay — The Coral Island character guide > Peterkin Gay in The Coral Island by R. M. Ballantyne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Peterkin, Master Peterkin, Poor Peterkin **First appearance:** 0001-the-coral-island ## Snapshot Fourteen, quick, funny, and harmlessly mischievous, Peterkin is the youngest castaway, the one who spots the sail and cracks the joke while the others plan. ## Who they are Peterkin is the comic pulse of the trio, beloved for mischief that never quite turns cruel, and the first to shout a discovery from the rocks. His impudent wit—mocking the sailors' Cape Horn tales, cutting capers on the ledge—keeps the boys human when the island turns grim. When a black flag rises over the lagoon, his fear is as quick as his laughter, and his presence makes the danger feel personal. ## Relationships ### [Jack Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/jack_martin) _friendship_ Jack and Peterkin are close companions and fellow castaways, sharing adventures and relying on each other for survival. ### [Ralph Rover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/ralph_rover) _friendship_ Peterkin and Ralph are cheerful companions and fellow castaways, often sharing lighthearted moments and adventures. ### [Avatea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/avatea) _friendship_ Avatea and Peterkin share a friendly rapport, with Peterkin often showing kindness and humor toward her. ### [The Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/the_captain) _rivalry_ Peterkin and The Captain are at odds, with Peterkin opposing the Captain's cruel and tyrannical behavior. ### [Tararo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/tararo) _rivalry_ Peterkin and Tararo are adversaries, with Peterkin opposing Tararo's hostile actions toward the castaways. ### [Bloody Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/bloody_bill) _friendship_ Bloody Bill and Peterkin develop a wary but genuine friendship, with Bill's redemption softening their initial distrust. ### [Jack Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/jack_martin) _friendship_ Jack and Peterkin are close companions and fellow castaways, sharing adventures and relying on each other for survival. ### [Jack Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/jack_martin) _friendship_ Jack and Peterkin are close companions and fellow castaways, sharing adventures and relying on each other for survival. ### [Ralph Rover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/ralph_rover) _friendship_ Peterkin and Ralph are cheerful companions and fellow castaways, often sharing lighthearted moments and adventures. ### [Avatea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/avatea) _friendship_ Avatea and Peterkin share a friendly rapport, with Peterkin often showing kindness and humor toward her. ### [The Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/the_captain) _rivalry_ Peterkin and The Captain are at odds, with Peterkin opposing the Captain's cruel and tyrannical behavior. ### [Bloody Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/bloody_bill) _friendship_ Bloody Bill and Peterkin develop a wary but genuine friendship, with Bill's redemption softening their initial distrust. ## In the story ### [The Coral Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/the-coral-island) Energetic and humorous; contributes to the group's morale and helps with exploration. ### [The Departure—The Sea—My Companions—Some Account of the Wonderful Sights We Saw on the Great Deep—A Dreadful Storm and a Frightful Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/ii) A mischievous but harmless boy of about fourteen, who jokes about Cape Horn and later tends to Ralph's wound after the shipwreck. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/iii) Jokes about their situation and proposes fanciful plans for their future on the island. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/iv) Energetic and humorous; uses odd phrases like 'the very ticket,' climbs a palm for coconuts, and struggles to pull the axe from the oar. ### [Morning, and cogitations connected therewith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/v) Awakened by a parakeet, swims poorly but enjoys the beach, opens oysters with the axe. ### [An Excursion into the Interior](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/vi) Carries a large club, jokes with Jack, is tripped into shrubs, takes the lead in discussion about the island's inhabitants. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/vii) Eager to fish in deeper water, he suggests using the log and later catches a fish before the shark attack. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/viii) Unable to dive; tells the story of his first voyage and being thrown overboard; makes a spear and jokes about the club. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/ix) Walks between Jack and Ralph, laughs at their drenching but is himself blown off his feet by a waterspout, carries a heavy club. ### [Discoveries and a Peculiar Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/x) Sent ahead to kindle a fire, but instead encounters and spears the same pig that Jack had wounded, bringing it back for supper. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xi) Makes humorous remarks about the penguins and the cat, and is the first to pet the tame cat. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xii) Teases Ralph about the tank and philosophy; observes the crab molting with amusement; helps build the boat. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xiii) Initially anxious and fearful when Jack is underwater; later jokes about the adventure. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xiv) Jokes frequently, accidentally embraces a piglet, kills a large sow for shoe leather, and carries the small pig home. ### [Boat-building extraordinary—Peterkin tries his hand at cookery and fails most signally—The boat finished—Curious conversation with the cat, and other matters.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xv) Peterkin tries cooking but fails, jokes with Jack, and later has a curious conversation with the cat. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xvi) Raises spirits with humor; enjoys fishing and contributes to sail-making with coconut fibre. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xvii) Eager to visit Penguin Island; engages in playful banter and attempts to block an old penguin's path to the sea. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xviii) Assists with the sail, makes a cheery remark about the cave, and shows disappointment at not landing on Penguin Island. ### [Shoemaking—The even tenor of our way suddenly interrupted—An unexpected visit and an appalling battle—We all become warriors, and Jack proves himself be a hero.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xix) Makes shoes from hog skin; assists in the rescue with his knife. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xx) Assists in hosting the natives and jokes about the naming ceremony. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxi) Initially fearful of diving, but resolves to trust Jack and Ralph and is dragged into the Diamond Cave. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxii) Mentioned as one of Ralph's companions left on the island. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxvii) Mentioned by Ralph as the other dear old comrade he hopes to find on Coral Island. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxix) Reunites with Ralph, reacts with surprise and joy, and eagerly supports the rescue plan. He tends to Ralph's tank and prepares food during the reunion. ### [The Voyage to Mango and the Missionary's Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxx) Dismisses danger with bravado and swaggers about the deck, acting as a 'man' under Jack's command. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxi) Reluctantly sets aside his weapons before landing; seems uncomfortable with the teacher's religious exhortations. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxii) Enthusiastically supports the plan, calling the missionary a 'regular brick'. ### [The Flight – The Pursuit – Despair and its Results – The Lion Bearded in his Den Again – Awful Danger Threatened and Wonderfully Averted – A Terrific Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxiii) Assists in the escape, shows a mild and sad demeanor during the pursuit, and is captured alongside the others. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxiv) Weeps in despair during imprisonment; wishes to see the gods burned. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/chapters/xxxv) Participates in the consultation about delaying departure. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters/peterkin_gay - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coral_island_se/characters