# Fritz — The Swiss Family Robinson character guide > Fritz in The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. **Role:** major **Also known as:** brother Fritz, Mr. Fritz, Son Fritz, commander Fritz **First appearance:** 0002-the-swiss-family-robinson ## Who they are The eldest son, who prays aloud for his parents' rescue while forgetting himself, already showing the boldness that will make him his father's right hand ashore. ## Relationships ### [Jack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/jack) _family_ Fritz and Jack are brothers with a competitive but caring relationship, often engaging in playful rivalry. ### [Ernest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/ernest) _family_ Ernest and Fritz are brothers who respect each other's strengths but have differing temperaments, leading to occasional friction. ### [Turk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/turk) _friendship_ Fritz works closely with Turk during hunting expeditions, valuing the dog's strength and loyalty. ## In the story ### [The Swiss Family Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/the-swiss-family-robinson) The eldest son, adventurous and skilled in hunting and exploration. ### [Shipwreck and Preparations for Deliverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-i) The eldest son; suggests using bladders or cork jackets for swimming to land; helps his father construct the flotation devices. ### [A Landing, and Consequent Occupations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ii) The eldest son, described as intelligent and vivacious. He reloads a gun and wanders along the river to explore. ### [Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Accompanies father on the journey, reconciles with the dogs, and learns to value usefulness over money. ### [Return from the Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Carries sugarcane, learns to extract juice, and becomes the protector of the young monkey. ### [Return to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-v) Accompanies father to the wreck, suggests making a sail, and demonstrates resourcefulness and strength. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Praised for inventing the cork jackets; shoots and wounds a shark during the voyage. ### [The Mother's Journey of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Mentioned as being with the father on the returning sail; not directly active in this chapter. ### [Construction of a Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Assists with the bridge construction and crosses it with Jack. ### [Change of Abode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Shows jealousy after Jack kills the porcupine; helps carry skins to the stream. ### [Building the Ladder and Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-x) Shoots a flamingo, carries the dead bird, and later cares for the wounded flamingo; recalls geometry lessons from Europe. ### [Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xi) Assists his father in the tree house construction and earlier killed the flamingo that is cooked for supper. ### [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 as one who might parade natural virtues like courage and strength, mistaking them for more essential qualities. ### [The Discovery of Potatoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Wears a tiger-cat-made belt and participates in the expedition. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiv) Loads himself with powder and shot, proposes Turk carry the sack, and engages in philosophical discussion about probability. ### [The Sledge and a Lesson in Natural Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xv) Stays behind to protect the family while Father and Ernest go to Tent-House. ### [A Bathing, a Fishing, the Jumping Hare, and a Masquerade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xvi) Crafts two knife cases from kangaroo skin, is praised for his prudence in staying with the family, and is commended for his judgment. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii) Assists in loading the raft, suggests using harpoons and a windlass, and lends his silver watch to Ernest. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii) Asks about tortoise shell value and proposes using the shell as a water-tub for the general good. ### [Another Trip to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xix) First to dress after being shamed for sleeping late; discovers the pinnace behind the bulkhead. ### [The Bakehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xx) Asks about savage methods of grating manioc and the names of their bread; participates in grating. ### [The Pinnace and the Cracker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi) Accompanies the father on the voyages to the wreck, assisting with the pinnace project. ### [The Gourd Harvest and the Guava Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii) Acts as lecturer about the gourd trees, recalling details from a previous visit, and helps with the preparations. ### [Excursion into Unknown Countries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii) Accompanies father, discovers the elastic property of caoutchouc, shoots birds, and later relates the day's adventures to the family. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv) Assists in retrieving cannon and supplies from the wreck, and looks forward to Sunday dinners from the new poultry. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv) Accompanies the expedition and helps with climbing and gathering. ### [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 one of the elder boys left behind to protect the family; not directly active in this chapter. ### [The Malabar Eagle and the Sago Manufactory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii) Captures the young Malabar eagle, argues with Ernest over its care, and later vents anger when the eagle kills the parrot. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxviii) Asks questions about wild versus cultivated trees and engages in the conversation about grafting. ### [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) Assists with the bee harvest and trains his eagle to pounce like a falcon. ### [Building Shelter and Taming Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx) Rides the onagra Lightfoot, helps gather acorns, and captures the heath-fowl. ### [The Rainy Season and Resolve for a New Dwelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi) Suggests consulting Robinson Crusoe as a model for building a new home; helps drive in the cattle each evening. ### [Spring, Spinning, and the Salt Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii) Assists in the excavation of the rock, removes fragments, and helps widen the entrance to the grotto. ### [House in the Salt-Rock; Herring Fishery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii) Speculates dramatically that the boiling sea is caused by a volcano or earthquake. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv) Rides the onagra ahead to scout the path and suggests building a water-mill. ### [The Discovery of the Lake and the Building of Arcadia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv) Dispatched with Jack to fetch supplies from Falcon's Stream and Tent-House; returns successfully. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi) Dispatched to Tent-House to fetch the sledge for boat completion. ### [Postscript by the Editor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/postscript-by-the-editor) Mentioned as the son who executed the rough sketch of the island attached to the journal. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) One of the sons included in the family settlement. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/fritz - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters