The Mysterious Island · Chapter
XXXVII explained
The colonists return from Tabor Island with a feral castaway, whom they call the Unknown.
What happens
The colonists return from Tabor Island with a feral castaway, whom they call the Unknown. Cyrus Smith believes the man's brutishness is due to prolonged solitude and vows to restore his reason. Through patient care and a test of freedom on Prospect Plateau, the Unknown weeps, showing the first sign of returning humanity.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it marks the colonists’ psychological nadir and a reversal of their previo…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Redemption and Transformation
The Unknown's journey from brutishness to tears symbolizes the potential for human redemption through compassion and community.
- Isolation and Longing for Home
The chapter explores how prolonged solitude can erode reason and humanity, as seen in the Unknown's condition.
Characters to notice
- Cyrus Smith
Leads the effort to rehabilitate the Unknown, showing deep compassion and insight into the effects of isolation.
- Pencroff
Expresses doubt about the Unknown's potential for recovery, but participates in the experiment.
- Gideon Spilett
Observes the Unknown's condition and supports Smith's approach to rehabilitation.
- Herbert Brown
Recounts the incident at sea where the Unknown showed a glimmer of sailor instinct.
- Neb
Expresses joy at the return of the party and assists in the care of the Unknown.
Key passages
“It is terrible to be all alone, my friends, and it is probable that solitude quickly overthrows reason, since you have found this poor being in such a condition.”
Being alone for too long can drive a person mad, as we see in this poor man.
Cyrus Smith explains the psychological impact of isolation.
“Ah! cried Smith, you will be a man again, since you weep!”
Your tears prove you still have humanity left.
Smith recognizes the Unknown's tears as a sign of returning reason.
