Masterman Ready, or the Wreck of the Pacific facts for kids
1886 illustrated edition
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| Author | Frederick Marryat |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
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Publication date
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1841 |
Masterman Ready, or the Wreck of the Pacific is an exciting adventure novel for young readers. It was written by Frederick Marryat and published in 1841. This book is a type of story called a robinsonade. That means it's about people who get shipwrecked and have to survive on a desert island. The story follows the Seagrave family and their helpful friend, Masterman Ready, as they face challenges on a faraway island.
Contents
The Story Begins
The Seagrave family is traveling back to New South Wales on a ship called the Pacific. Suddenly, a terrible storm hits the ship. The storm is so strong that it wrecks the vessel. The ship's crew quickly escapes in a lifeboat, leaving all the passengers behind.
The Seagrave family, their young servant Juno, and an experienced sailor named Masterman Ready are left stranded. They end up shipwrecked on a desert island. They must learn to survive in this new, wild place.
Life on the Island
Masterman Ready is a very experienced seaman. He knows a lot about surviving at sea and on land. He teaches the Seagrave family many important skills. They learn how to find food, build shelter, and stay safe.
They face many dangers and difficulties on the island. The biggest threat comes when a group of attackers arrives. These attackers cause a lot of trouble for the family. Sadly, Masterman Ready is killed during this attack.
Rescue and Return
Just when things seem most difficult, help arrives. The captain of the Pacific ship, whom everyone thought had died in the storm, appears. He arrives in a small sailing ship called a schooner.
The captain rescues the Seagrave family. They are finally able to leave the island and return to safety. The story shows how brave and resourceful the family becomes.
Main Ideas and Lessons
Masterman Ready was one of the first adventure stories written especially for young people. It was written because Frederick Marryat had some ideas about another famous book. He wanted to show a more realistic shipwreck story.
Comparing Shipwreck Stories
Marryat wrote his book as a response to The Swiss Family Robinson. That book was written by Johann David Wyss in 1812. Marryat was a sailor himself for many years. He felt that The Swiss Family Robinson made being shipwrecked seem too easy and romantic.
He also thought that Wyss's book didn't show enough knowledge about plants and animals. In Masterman Ready, the Seagrave family faces many real dangers. These include the storm that wrecks their ship and injures them.
Important Lessons
This book has a strong moral and religious message. It often talks about being thankful and finding comfort in faith. Masterman Ready shares many stories from his life at sea. In these stories, he often thanks God for his help. He also finds strength in the Bible.
The Seagrave family also learns about nature. They discover how amazing the world is. They see evidence of God's kindness everywhere around them. The book teaches readers about survival, bravery, and finding hope in tough times.
