# Father — The Swiss Family Robinson character guide > Father in The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. **Role:** major **Also known as:** I, me, my, mine, myself, Papa **First appearance:** 0002-the-swiss-family-robinson ## Who they are A shipwrecked patriarch who steadies his terrified sons with prayer and practical resolve, then walks the flooding deck to find what Providence and his own hands can still save. ## In the story ### [The Swiss Family Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/the-swiss-family-robinson) The narrator and leader of the family, guiding the survival efforts and making key decisions. ### [Shipwreck and Preparations for Deliverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-i) Leads the family with calm resolve, exhorting them to trust Providence and to help themselves; devises the cork-jacket flotation plan. ### [A Landing, and Consequent Occupations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Leads the family in prayer and organizes the departure from the ship. He assigns tasks, steers the boat, and later rescues Jack from the lobster, using the incident to teach a moral lesson. ### [Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Leads the expedition with Fritz, reflects on morality and providence, and encourages gratitude. ### [Return from the Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Leads the return journey, teaches Fritz about sugarcane physics, and adopts the orphaned monkey. ### [Return to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-v) Leads the expedition to the wreck, makes strategic decisions about salvaging supplies, and expresses concern for the family's safety. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Leads the expedition, praises Fritz's invention, and recounts the voyage. ### [The Mother's Journey of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Returns from the vessel with Fritz; teases the mother about her plan to live in a giant tree but ultimately comforts her. ### [Construction of a Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Leads the bridge construction, devises a method using animals to haul timbers, and encourages the boys' industriousness. ### [Change of Abode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Leads the family, makes decisions, and constructs packing-needles from porcupine quills. ### [Building the Ladder and Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-x) Leads the construction of the ladder, measures the tree using geometry, and organizes the family's nightly defense with fires. ### [Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xi) Leads the construction of the tree house, works tirelessly, and carries little Francis up the ladder. ### [The Parable of the Great King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xii) Delivers the parable of the Great King and applies its moral lessons to each of his sons; expresses regret for forgetting to bring a Bible from the ship. ### [The Discovery of Potatoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Leads the expedition, praises Ernest's discovery, and quotes Psalm 107 to express gratitude. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiv) Leads the expedition, teaches the boys about plants and logic, and carries the butter pot. ### [The Sledge and a Lesson in Natural Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xv) Leads the expedition for wood, teaches Ernest about presence of mind, and later oversees the family's activities. ### [A Bathing, a Fishing, the Jumping Hare, and a Masquerade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xvi) Leads the expedition to Tent-House, discovers a marsh and bathing creek, praises Ernest for his fishing success and Fritz for his prudence, and oversees the day's labors. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii) Leads the salvage operation, prioritizes practical goods over luxury, and sends Ernest and Jack back to comfort their mother. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii) Identifies the manioc roots, retrieves supplies from the raft, and leads the discussion on the tortoise shell's use. ### [Another Trip to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xix) Rises early, inspects vessels, makes trips to the wreck, admonishes Ernest for laziness, and discovers the pinnace. ### [The Bakehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xx) Leads the baking lesson, explains manioc varieties and poison safety, oversees the pressing and baking process. ### [The Pinnace and the Cracker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi) Leads the expedition to retrieve the pinnace, devises the plan to assemble it, and reflects on Providence and family unity. ### [The Gourd Harvest and the Guava Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii) Leads the expedition, demonstrates resourcefulness in cutting gourds and making vessels, and expresses gratitude to Providence for the water-yielding plants. ### [Excursion into Unknown Countries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii) Leads the expedition, identifies the caoutchouc tree and sago palm, and shares knowledge about beavers and marmosets. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv) Leads the fortification efforts, builds a cart, and oversees the planting and defensive arrangements. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv) Leads the excursion, devises climbing aids, and delivers a moral lesson on judging others. ### [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) Leads the expedition with Jack, makes strategic decisions about the buffalo and jackal, and reflects on divine protection and education. ### [The Malabar Eagle and the Sago Manufactory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii) Establishes rules for animal care, mediates disputes between the boys, and advises on taming the eagle. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxviii) Leads the work of propping trees, provides detailed explanations on grafting and the origins of fruit trees, and draws moral lessons about cultivation and education. ### [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) Leads the bee-smoking operation, trains the young buffalo, and oversees the staircase construction and animal training. ### [Building Shelter and Taming Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx) Leads the construction of the shelter and the gathering of supplies; recounts the method of taming the onagra by biting its ear. ### [The Rainy Season and Resolve for a New Dwelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi) Leads the family through the hardships of the rainy season, devises waterproof clothing, and records the family's journal. ### [Spring, Spinning, and the Salt Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii) Describes the joy of spring, organizes the family's work, builds a spinning wheel, leads the excavation of the rock, and discovers the grotto. ### [House in the Salt-Rock; Herring Fishery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii) Leads the construction of the salt-rock house, devises the herring-catching plan, and educates his sons about the herring shoal. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv) Leads the exploration, plans the new farmhouse, and directs the family's activities. ### [The Discovery of the Lake and the Building of Arcadia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv) Leads the exploration, gathers rice, and decides to build a second cottage at Cape Disappointment, naming it Arcadia. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi) Leads the construction of the boat, fortifications, and home improvements; preaches sermons in the chapel. ### [Postscript by the Editor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/postscript-by-the-editor) The Swiss pastor who meets the English officers and gives them his journal. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Referenced as the Swiss pastor leading the family. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters/narrator_father - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/characters