# Providence and Faith in The Swiss Family Robinson

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

The family's survival and success are repeatedly attributed to divine providence; the father leads daily prayers, observes the Sabbath, and uses parables to teach his children that God's will and protection guide their efforts and deliverance.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Swiss Family Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/the-swiss-family-robinson): The father frequently thanks God for their deliverance and guidance, viewing their survival as part of a divine plan.
- [Shipwreck and Preparations for Deliverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-i): The father repeatedly urges his family to trust in Divine Providence, and they pray together for deliverance.
- [A Landing, and Consequent Occupations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-ii): The family begins the day with morning prayer and, upon landing, immediately falls to their knees to thank God for their preservation, demonstrating their reliance on divine providence.
- [Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-iii): Father and Fritz acknowledge Divine protection and submit to God's will after losing hope of finding companions.
- [Return to the Wreck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-v): The mother quotes scripture ('sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof'), and the family offers prayers for safety, trusting in divine providence.
- [Construction of a Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-viii): The father reflects on gratitude to Providence for providing abundant resources, and the family views their location as providentially guided.
- [The Parable of the Great King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xii): The father's parable frames life on the island as a divine probation, with God as the Great King who provides for and judges the colonists, emphasizing faith and obedience.
- [The Discovery of Potatoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-i-xiii): The potato discovery is seen as a gift from God, reinforcing the family's faith and reliance on divine guidance.
- [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii): The father attributes the discovery of manioc and the wine cask to Providence, and the family returns thanks to God for their blessings.
- [The Pinnace and the Cracker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi): The father leads the children to observe the goodness of Providence, which renders labor a source of enjoyment and makes happiness result from the good of others.
- [The Gourd Harvest and the Guava Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii): Father explicitly thanks God for the water-yielding plants, viewing them as a divine blessing for travelers in the burning climate.
- [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): The chapter opens with the family giving thanks for divine protection, and the father's decisions are guided by a sense of providential care.
- [Spring, Spinning, and the Salt Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii): The family celebrates Sunday in the open air with piety, and the father submits to divine will while hoping for his children's happiness.
- [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv): The father reflects on Providence providing cotton, and the family expresses gratitude for their discoveries.
- [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi): Regular Sunday worship in the crystal chapel and repeated acknowledgments of divine guidance and goodness.
- [Postscript by the Editor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/postscript-by-the-editor): The editor highlights that the family's piety and trust in divine order led to serenity and happiness despite their shipwreck, and notes that Heaven's ordination prevented a reunion.

## Links

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