# Gratitude and Contentment in The Swiss Family Robinson

> Theme guide for The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss.

Despite their dire circumstances, the family cultivates a spirit of thankfulness for every provision and small joy, finding happiness in their unity, labor, and the beauty of their island home rather than in material wealth.

## Where it surfaces

- [Return from the Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iv): Mother urges contentment and gratitude to God for their safety and reunion despite the failure to find shipmates.
- [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-vi): Mother expresses heartfelt thanks for the safe return and the acquisition of useful animals.
- [Building the Ladder and Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-x): The family expresses contentment with their hammocks and meal, and the father reminds the boys to be satisfied with their accommodations.
- [Settling in the Giant Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xi): The mother expresses joy and gratitude for their new home, and the family feels secure and at peace, thanking God for their preservation.
- [The Parable of the Great King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xii): The parable encourages gratitude for God's gifts and contentment with one's lot, while the family's Sabbath observance includes thanksgiving and reflection.
- [The Discovery of Potatoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiii): The family's joy and thanks for the potato discovery, with the father quoting Psalm 107 to highlight divine provision.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiv): The family enjoys their meal of potatoes and milk with joy and laughter, and concludes the day with evening prayers, expressing contentment in their simple life.
- [A Bathing, a Fishing, the Jumping Hare, and a Masquerade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xvi): The family's satisfaction with their simple supper of fish and potatoes, and their gratitude for the day's provisions, underscores a theme of contentment with their lot.
- [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii): They wake with 'lively gratitude to Providence' for a safe night, and Fritz's rejection of useless money shows contentment with what is truly needed.
- [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii): The family gives thanks to God for their meal and the wine, and finds contentment in their simple yet resourceful life.
- [Another Trip to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xix): The mother's contentment with her kitchen garden and the family's appreciation for the new mattress reflect a theme of gratitude for small comforts.
- [The Bakehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xx): The family ends the previous day with thanks to God for blessings, and the chapter emphasizes contentment with simple, homemade food.
- [The Gourd Harvest and the Guava Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii): Despite hardships, the family finds joy in their harvest and the simple pleasures of guava apples and homemade utensils.
- [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv): The family's observance of the Sabbath and their heartfelt thankfulness to the Supreme Being for their preservation and provision underscores their contentment and gratitude.
- [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxviii): The family expresses delight in their work and the fruits of their labor, showing contentment with their island life and the lessons learned from nature.
- [Building Shelter and Taming Lightfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx): The family expresses joy in their discoveries and successes, and the mother finds satisfaction in the utility of their animals.
- [The Rainy Season and Resolve for a New Dwelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi): The family expresses gratitude for being rescued together, finds joy in simple meals and shared work, and concludes each day with devotional reading.
- [Spring, Spinning, and the Salt Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii): The family expresses profound gratitude for the arrival of spring and the beauty of nature, feeling content despite their isolation.
- [House in the Salt-Rock; Herring Fishery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii): The family expresses gratitude for the natural cavern and the unexpected herring bounty, avoiding complaint about remaining work.
- [The Discovery of the Lake and the Building of Arcadia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv): The family expresses joy at the strawberries and rice, and the father names the new site 'Arcadia' as a symbol of contentment and harmony.
- [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi): The family expresses deep thankfulness for Providence and finds happiness in their simple, industrious life.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/themes/gratitude_and_contentment
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/themes