The Mosquito Coast

Jerry and Charlie confront their mother with the confirmation from Emily that the United States is not at war. She replies that it doesn’t matter and says, “There’s no way out…we have to do as we’re told” (355). The brothers insist that they all must leave, and Mother is astonished. She is still protesting when fire breaks out in nearby Guampu, followed immediately by the sound of an explosion. Pressing on with their plan, Charlie instructs Jerry to wake the girls so that they can leave. Their father’s reappearance startles them all. Allie nonchalantly declares that he has done them a favor, admitting that he has blown up the mission’s plane and set the generator on fire. He attempts to resume control of his family, but his sons will not allow it.

Jerry calls him a liar, and Charlie says “We’re not going with you, not after those lies you told us. You made us suffer for nothing” (356). Jerry suggests they kill Allie, believing that he will kill them rather than let them go. Charlie agrees at first, but then suggests that they leave alone. Jerry refuses, believing that the twins and their mother will be killed if they depart without them. When Allie approaches, Charlie yanks the chain of a coal, entangling Allie, who hits his head. Jerry leaps into action, securing him further. Frozen, Mother continues to call for him as the brothers load everyone into the canoe. Reverend Spellgood and a contingent from the mission run toward their boat. Allie, who has managed to pull himself up into a standing position, is struck by a bullet. Mother and the children haul Allie into the dugout. They maneuver themselves down the bank, searching for the Jeep for which Emily gave them keys. 

Locating the Jeep, Mother drives through the jungle until the road stops. Allie has been shot through the neck but remains alive. Mother attempts to tend to him and make him comfortable. When two Indigenous men appear, she demands a boat, water, and food. Equipped and back on the water, Allie asks her if they are continuing upriver; she lies to him, saying they are. Allie suffers as they make their way toward the coast. Alternating between silence and his customary levying of complaints about the world, he holds Charlie as his captive audience once again. When the familiar sounds of the coast reach his ears, Allie demands to know where they are, and is devastated to learn that they have been traveling downriver.

Camped out on the beach, the children wait by Allie, the entire family the subject of scrutiny and curiosity. Their mother seeks out supplies and medical help in the local town. When a boat appears, drawing near and proceeding to land on the beach, Charlie, who has been keeping watch, leaves his father’s side to join his brother and sisters. In his absence, Allie manages to crawl several yards away. As the boatman speaks to the children, acknowledging the grievous nature of their situation, Charlie suddenly realizes that his father is gone and rushes in his direction, screaming and waving his arms. A group of vultures has descended upon Allie, tearing him apart while he is still alive. The final image of the chapter is that of a vulture ripping out Allie’s tongue.

The news that a white man has died on the beach brings many onlookers to the Foxes’ camp. Mr. Haddy happens by in his boat. He sails Mother and the children back toward the city of La Ceiba. At the close of the novel, Charlie’s recollections affirm how wrong his father was. Charlie observes, “The world was all right, no better or worse than we had left it—through after what father had told us, what we saw was like splendor” (374). His final reflection is his delight of the simple pleasure of being in a taxi, hearing the radio as they are driven to the city of La Ceiba.