# Jack — The Swiss Family Robinson character guide > Jack in The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Poor Jack, master Jack, Mr. Jack, brother Jack **First appearance:** 0002-the-swiss-family-robinson ## Who they are The restless third son, all impulse and appetite for adventure, the kind of boy who will test every rule the island and his father impose. ## Relationships ### [Ernest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/ernest) _family_ Ernest and Jack are brothers who often bicker and compete but ultimately cooperate in their island adventures. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/mother) _family_ Jack is a lively and sometimes mischievous son who loves his mother dearly but often tests her patience. ### [Fritz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/fritz) _family_ Fritz and Jack are brothers with a competitive but caring relationship, often engaging in playful rivalry. ### [Turk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/turk) _friendship_ Jack has a playful and affectionate bond with Turk, often involving the dog in his adventures. ### [Ponto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/ponto) _friendship_ Jack treats Ponto as a loyal playmate and helper during his explorations. ## In the story ### [The Swiss Family Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/the-swiss-family-robinson) The energetic and sometimes impulsive son, eager to help with tasks. ### [Shipwreck and Preparations for Deliverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-i) The third son; discovers the two dogs in the captain's cabin, mounts the larger dog, and presents himself to his father. ### [A Landing, and Consequent Occupations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ii) A lighthearted, audacious ten-year-old. He is attacked by a lobster while gathering mussels, is rescued by his father, and later kills the lobster in anger. His father scolds him for his boastfulness and lack of mercy. ### [Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Contributes his lobster claw for the journey and shows cleverness in hiding it from the dogs. ### [Return from the Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Exclaims joyfully at the monkey and helps unload burdens. ### [Return to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-v) Appears first from the tent with the monkey on his shoulders, shows curiosity about the jackall. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Amuses himself with the animals, rides the ass, and shows off his handmade belt and dog collars. ### [The Mother's Journey of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Prepares spiked collars from jackal skin, carries extra loads, and nearly causes an accident with wet pistols. ### [Construction of a Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Describes discovering lobsters with Francis and is praised for choosing the bridge site. ### [Change of Abode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Kills the porcupine with a pistol, showing bravery and skill; later helps with skins. ### [Building the Ladder and Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-x) Participates in carrying bamboo and is involved in the evening activities, though not prominently featured. ### [Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xi) Accompanies his mother to the seashore to collect wood and helps with the day's tasks. ### [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 let his land lie fallow or sow tares instead of wheat; first to break the silence after the parable. ### [The Discovery of Potatoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Eagerly digs up potatoes with the monkey, though initially envious of Ernest's discovery. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiv) Injures himself on a cactus, applies karata leaf for healing, and attempts to define impossibility in the logic discussion. ### [The Sledge and a Lesson in Natural Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xv) Succeeds in his first snare attempt and climbs the tree to set snares. ### [A Bathing, a Fishing, the Jumping Hare, and a Masquerade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xvi) Mentioned as part of the family group left in charge with Mother; not directly active in this chapter. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii) Accompanies Ernest to surprise Father, is sent back with a message for Mother, and is promised a watch later. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii) Proposes a boat from the shell, discovers a clay bed, and brings clay balls home. ### [Another Trip to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xix) Hovers around and is allowed to join the trip; finds a wheelbarrow and is eager; leaps into the water upon nearing shore. ### [The Bakehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xx) Initially throws away his grater in fear of poison, but later wants to eat the cake; participates in grating. ### [The Pinnace and the Cracker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi) Participates in the salvage efforts, helping to load stores and work on the pinnace. ### [The Gourd Harvest and the Guava Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii) Catches a large crab and a lizard, eagerly asks to cook the crab, and humorously compares the lizard to his mother. ### [Excursion into Unknown Countries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii) One of the younger brothers left at home; reacts with ecstasy to the live parrot. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv) Wonders what the young birds think when they first see humans. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv) Eagerly joins the party, gathers guavas, and climbs trees for coconuts. ### [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) Accompanies his father as the agile escort, shows kindness and inventiveness by suggesting candlesticks from reeds for his mother, and rescues a young jackal to tame. ### [The Malabar Eagle and the Sago Manufactory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii) Discovers the sow and her piglets in the thicket. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxviii) Makes witty remarks about tree cultivation, asks about homogeneous fruits, and shows curiosity about cherries. ### [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) Attempts to train his jackal Hunter to retrieve game, though the animal eats the game before returning. ### [Building Shelter and Taming Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx) Mentioned as too giddy to ride the onagra alone but occasionally rides behind Fritz. ### [The Rainy Season and Resolve for a New Dwelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi) Expresses enthusiasm for adventure and savages during the discussion of Robinson Crusoe; draws plants and animals from memory. ### [Spring, Spinning, and the Salt Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii) Works on cutting away the rock inside the excavation, rides the buffalo to fetch the family, and leads the procession back with enthusiasm. ### [House in the Salt-Rock; Herring Fishery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii) Excitedly claims to see fins and claws of a monster, and is teased by his father. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv) Manages to preserve two quails after the jackal attack. ### [The Discovery of the Lake and the Building of Arcadia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv) Accompanies Fritz on the supply mission and helps quicken the old ass's pace with a whip. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi) Helps with boat construction and fortifications; plays a flageolet and has a natural inclination for music. ### [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/jack - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters