The Coral Island (Wordsworth Children's Classics)

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Short, John Rennie (2002), Imagined Country: Society, Culture, and Environment, Syracuse University Press, ISBN 978-0-8156-2954-2 I mean the idea of making it is a good one,” said I, laughing. “And, now I think of it, I’ll change my plan too. I don’t think much of a club, so I’ll make me a sling out of this piece of cloth. I used to be very fond of slinging, ever since I read of David slaying Goliath the Philistine, and I was once thought to be expert at it.”

At last we came among the Coral Islands of the Pacific; and I shall never forget the delight with which I gazed—when we chanced to pass one—at the pure white, dazzling shores, and the verdant palm-trees, which looked bright and beautiful in the sunshine. And often did we three long to be landed on one, imagining that we should certainly find perfect happiness there! Our wish was granted sooner than we expected.The music glues together such notions elegantly in ‘Lover Undiscovered’, a song soaked in sun-kissed melodies which embraces the warm glow of a perfect relationship. It’s evident the band are eager to let their songwriting shine and enjoy the playful thematic framework they’ve built. ‘Mist On The River’ evokes similar lovelorn feelings as a punchy and layered folk anthem complete with spritely pier-side keys. Marriage of the Duke D'Aumale", The Times, no.18787, p.5, 6 December 1844 , retrieved 17 January 2014

There were various causes that induced this state of comparative inaction. In the first place, although everything around us was so delightful, and we could without difficulty obtain all that we required for our bodily comfort, we did not quite like the idea of settling down here for the rest of our lives, far away from our friends and our native land. To set energetically about preparations for a permanent residence seemed so like making up our minds to saying adieu to home and friends for ever that we tacitly shrank from it, and put off our preparations, for one reason and another, as long as we could. Then there was a little uncertainty still as to there being natives on the island, and we entertained a kind of faint hope that a ship might come and take us off. But as day after day passed, and neither savages nor ships appeared, we gave up all hope of an early deliverance, and set diligently to work at our homestead.I could not refrain from laughing at this rebuke, for there was much truth in it as to Peterkin’s ignorance. A typical Robinsonade – a genre of fiction inspired by Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe– and one of the most popular of its type, the book first went on sale in late 1857 and has never been out of print. Among the novel's major themes are the civilising effect of Christianity, 19th-century imperialism in the South Pacific, and the importance of hierarchy and leadership. It was the inspiration for William Golding's dystopian novel Lord of the Flies (1954), which inverted the morality of The Coral Island; in Ballantyne's story the children encounter evil, but in Lord of the Flies evil is within them. Ballantyne wrote a sequel to 'The Coral Island'. I remember reading it as a kid. I'm not sure I'll read it again. But Ballantyne has also written a couple of nonfiction books, one about his experiences in the Hudson Bay and another about his experiences in bookmaking. I want to read them. There is also a novel of his called 'The Young Fur Traders' which I want to read. Ralph and Bloody Bill making their escape on board the pirate schooner, from an 1884 edition of the novel Peterkin immediately took the spear, poised it for a second or two above his head, then darted it like an arrow into the sea. Down it went straight into the centre of the green object, passed quite through it, and came up immediately afterwards, pure and unsullied, while the mysterious tail moved quietly as before!

Oh dear!” he sighed; “I would not care a button for the cooking of our victuals—perhaps they don’t need it—but it’s so dismal to eat one’s supper in the dark, and we have had such a capital day that it’s a pity to finish off in this glum style. Oh, I have it!” he cried, starting up: “the spy-glass—the big glass at the end is a burning-glass!” While thus meditating, I naturally bethought me of my Bible, for I had faithfully kept the promise which I gave at parting to my beloved mother—that I would read it every morning; and it was with a feeling of dismay that I remembered I had left it in the ship. I was much troubled about this. However, I consoled myself with reflecting that I could keep the second part of my promise to her—namely, that I should never omit to say my prayers. So I rose quietly lest I should disturb my companions, who were still asleep, and stepped aside into the bushes for this purpose. Despite the innocence and fun of the story, In my view at least, it is no longer suitable for children, not even "Older boys and girls (12-15 years)" let alone ones 8-12, that are the Red Dragon's target market. I very strongly feel the the phenomenal levels of racism are unsuited to non adults in the 2000's. The very idea of having to explain to my 13 year old godson with his many Fijian friends, why the book is claiming they are all cannibals who kill each other without mercy or compassion gives me cold shudders. Poor thing said Peterkin, gently extending his hand and endeavouring to pat the cat’s head. “Poor pussy! chee, chee, chee! puss, puss, puss! cheetie pussy!” Miller, John William (25 February 2008), "The Coral Island", The Literary Encyclopedia, archived from the original on 20 July 2021 , retrieved 27 June 2013

CHAPTER XIX.

The Coral Island was truly a masterpiece. I now understand why it was one of the most well-loved Ballantyne books of its time and even today. The characters were impeccable. I fell in love with them immediately. The storyline was fascinating and well-written. All around, it was fantastic. Ay, penguins, Peterkin, penguins—nothing more or less than big sea-birds, as you shall see one of these days when we pay them a visit in our boat, which I mean to set about building the moment we return to our bower.”

So there are!” cried Peterkin, who, being of a very unobservant nature, had been too much taken up with other things to notice anything so high above his head as the fruit of a palm-tree. But whatever faults my young comrade had, he could not be blamed for want of activity or animal spirits. Indeed, the nuts had scarcely been pointed out to him when he bounded up the tall stem of the tree like a squirrel, and in a few minutes returned with three nuts, each as large as a man’s fist. Hallo!” exclaimed he; “this looks something like a clearing. The axe has been at work here. Just look at these tree-stumps.” Blair, Glenn M. (1955), "Reading Materials for Pupils with Reading Disabilities", The High School Journal, 39 (1): 14–21, JSTOR 40363447

Mind your eye!” he shouted eagerly; “there goes another!” The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there came up a spout from another hole, which served us exactly in the same manner as before. Then why don’t you do it?” interrupted Peterkin. “Why have you kept us in the dark so long, you vile philosopher?” What can it be?” said Peterkin in a low whisper, while we all involuntarily crept closer to each other.