# Francis — The Swiss Family Robinson character guide > Francis in The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** little Francis, The little Francis, the little Francis, Little Francis **First appearance:** 0002-the-swiss-family-robinson ## Who they are The youngest boy, clinging to his mother's knees amid the storm, whose helplessness sharpens both the family's fear and its fierce will to survive. ## In the story ### [Shipwreck and Preparations for Deliverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-i) The youngest son; brings a box of fishhooks; asks when God will help them and is gently corrected by Fritz. ### [A Landing, and Consequent Occupations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ii) The youngest son, six years old. He helps collect moss for beds, mistakes soup cakes for glue, and is teased by his father about the nature of portable soup. ### [Return from the Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Shows fear of the monkey and asks about almond milk. ### [Return to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-v) Fears the jackall, thinking it is a wolf, and steps back in alarm. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Expresses delight at the sail and flag, preferring them to the animals. ### [The Mother's Journey of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Carried on the mother's back across the river; expresses fear of savages like in Robinson Crusoe. ### [Construction of a Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-viii) First spots the lobsters while collecting stones by the river. ### [Change of Abode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Rides the ass with the enchanted bag; offers a fig to the monkey. ### [Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xi) The youngest, carried up the ladder by his father; also helps collect wood with his brothers. ### [The Parable of the Great King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xii) Addressed in the parable's application alongside Jack as one who might neglect instruction and let bad thoughts grow. ### [The Discovery of Potatoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Carries a bow and quiver, resembling Cupid; asks a naive question about potato fruit. ### [The Sledge and a Lesson in Natural Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xv) Assists Jack with the snares and naively suggests sowing gunpowder. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii) Suggests using the tortoise shell as a roof for a little house. ### [Another Trip to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xix) Wakes after Jack, is mentioned as being outdone by Ernest in sloth. ### [The Bakehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xx) Participates in grating; Jack asks if he would eat the cake without fear. ### [The Pinnace and the Cracker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi) Stays with the mother at Tent-House and accompanies her to Falcon's Stream to tend the animals. ### [The Gourd Harvest and the Guava Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii) Sobs with worry during the family's absence, later rides the ass on the return journey due to fatigue. ### [Excursion into Unknown Countries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii) The youngest; asks Fritz if he taught the parrot words on the way home. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv) Wonders about the young birds and longs for his parrot back at Falcon's Stream. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv) Accompanies the family, asks innocent questions about enchanted forests, and is comforted by his mother. ### [A New Country Discovered — The Troop of Buffalos; A Precious Acquisition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvi) Mentioned as the youngest, left with his mother for protection. ### [The Malabar Eagle and the Sago Manufactory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii) Asks about using smoke to stupefy bees to get honey. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxviii) Remains with mother to help with domestic tasks. ### [Victory over the Bees; Winding Staircase; Training of Various Animals; Divers Manufactures; Fountain, etc.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxix) Lightest of the family, first to ride the young buffalo under his father's lead. ### [Building Shelter and Taming Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx) Too young to ride the onagra; receives the sword-grass leaves as a plaything. ### [The Rainy Season and Resolve for a New Dwelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi) Fears a return of Noah's deluge; takes charge of the two little bulldogs; learns to read and write. ### [Spring, Spinning, and the Salt Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii) Helps with reeling the spun flax and participates in the cavalcade to the grotto. ### [House in the Salt-Rock; Herring Fishery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii) Asks what a herring-shoal is, prompting Father's explanation. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv) Mistakes cotton for snow and is disappointed when it is not snow. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi) Also plays a flageolet and joins in musical concerts with his mother. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) The youngest son included in the family settlement. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/francis - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters