# Mother — The Swiss Family Robinson character guide > Mother in The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Elizabeth, wife **First appearance:** 0002-the-swiss-family-robinson ## Who they are Elizabeth, the family's quiet center, who wipes her tears at her husband's words and turns her fear into courage for the children leaning on her. ## Relationships ### [Ernest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/ernest) _family_ Ernest shares a gentle and affectionate relationship with his mother, often helping her with domestic tasks and intellectual pursuits. ### [Jack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/jack) _family_ Jack is a lively and sometimes mischievous son who loves his mother dearly but often tests her patience. ### [Turk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/turk) _friendship_ Mother appreciates Turk as a protective and helpful presence around the homestead. ## In the story ### [The Swiss Family Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/the-swiss-family-robinson) The caring and resourceful mother, managing the household and tending to the family's needs. ### [Shipwreck and Preparations for Deliverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-i) Comforts the younger children, prepares a meal, and quietly shares her husband's anxiety while maintaining composure. ### [A Landing, and Consequent Occupations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ii) The wife and mother, described as tender and exemplary. She takes charge of preparing dinner with Francis's help, and is the recipient of Jack's triumphant lobster catch. ### [Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Stays behind with the three youngest boys, consents to the expedition, and prepares breakfast. ### [Return from the Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Expresses relief at their safe return, distributes loads, and gently scolds Ernest for laziness. ### [Return to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-v) Stays behind with the younger boys, offers wise counsel about patience and regularity, and lights a signal fire. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Reunites with the family, expresses gratitude, and promises to tell her story. ### [The Mother's Journey of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Leads the expedition across the river, seeking shade and a better home; demonstrates courage and resourcefulness. ### [Construction of a Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Argues for moving inland due to heat and safety, sews sacks for transport, and prepares the lobsters. ### [Change of Abode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Insists on bringing the fowls and the enchanted bag, prepares the meal, and refuses to eat porcupine. ### [Building the Ladder and Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-x) Prepares harnesses for the animals, cooks supper, and expresses concern about feeding the growing number of animals. ### [Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xi) Manages household duties, milks the cow, prepares meals, and reminds the family that the next day is Sunday. ### [The Parable of the Great King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xii) Absorbed in silent reflection during the sermon; reveals she has a Bible in her enchanted bag, providing the family with the divine laws. ### [The Discovery of Potatoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Carries a butter-pot and scolds Jack for his envy, praising Ernest's observation. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiv) Milks the cow and goat, prepares potatoes, and refreshes the family despite her own fatigue. ### [The Sledge and a Lesson in Natural Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xv) Collects eggs, prepares the birds for preservation, and has a secret project for Father's return. ### [A Bathing, a Fishing, the Jumping Hare, and a Masquerade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xvi) Remains at Falcon's Stream with the younger children; Ernest is tasked with bringing her salt. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii) Anxious about the trips to the vessel, left in tears praying for their safe return. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii) Prepares a meal, discovers and presents the cask of wine, and recounts Jack's clay discovery. ### [Another Trip to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xix) Wakes late, attributes her deep sleep to the new mattress; is sent back with the younger children. ### [The Bakehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xx) Sews a linen bag for the manioc pulp and boils potatoes as a backup meal, skeptical of the baking plan. ### [The Pinnace and the Cracker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi) Expresses concern about the sea, manages Tent-House and Falcon's Stream, and cares for the poultry and potatoes. ### [The Gourd Harvest and the Guava Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii) Cares for the injured bustard, requests vessels for milk and plates for butter, and expresses concern about the family's long absence. ### [Excursion into Unknown Countries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii) Stays behind with the younger children; receives the explorers with kind reproofs and later enjoys the sugarcane. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv) Discovers the brooding ducks and geese, and longs for her poultry-yard and comfortable bed at Falcon's Stream. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv) Joins the excursion, helps push the cart, and explains fairy tales to Francis. ### [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) Stays at the hut with the younger boys, tasked with cutting sugarcanes and collecting provisions. ### [The Malabar Eagle and the Sago Manufactory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii) Laments the number of animals, proposes domesticating piglets for breeding, and censures the boys for thinking of roasting the piglets. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxviii) Stays behind with Francis to prepare dinner and melt wax berries for candles. ### [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) Provides evening rest and domestic instruction, improving candle-making with berry wax and reed-moulds. ### [Building Shelter and Taming Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx) Cares for the new poultry, hatches the heath-fowl eggs under a hen, and praises the utility of the livestock over the pets. ### [The Rainy Season and Resolve for a New Dwelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi) Sews waterproof hoods and shirts, insists on building a better winter residence, and begins processing flax with a carding-comb made by her husband. ### [Spring, Spinning, and the Salt Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii) Resumes spinning flax, is delighted with the spinning wheel, and later joins the exploration of the grotto with the children. ### [House in the Salt-Rock; Herring Fishery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii) Accompanies the family to arrange provisions in the new magazines and offers a simple explanation for the sea phenomenon. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv) Prepares cotton for bedding, makes cotton balls for Francis, and later provides a refreshing drink from maize and sugarcane. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi) Sews sailcloth for carpets, operates spinning-wheel and loom, sings with a sweet voice in concerts. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Part of the family mentioned in the map description. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/mother - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters