Anna Robinson, drawing on her farming family roots, applies essential agricultural knowledge to the family's survival after their shipwreck. Her background allows her to cultivate crops, grow vegetables, and manage food production effectively on the island. She initially views Mr. Morton with distrust due to his coarse behavior and attempt to introduce young Jack to smoking, but later recognizes his fundamental decency after learning of his efforts to secure their rescue.

She exhibits a strong protective instinct toward her children, fiercely confronting threats like jackals to ensure their safety. Her resourcefulness encompasses traditional domestic skills, including food preparation, sewing, and household management. While generally composed, she displays a fear of small creatures such as mice and lizards, contrasting with her children's fascination with island wildlife. Her compassion is shown when she insists on a proper burial for the deceased castaway Eric Bates, whose diary they discover, and vows to share his story.

Throughout the family's ordeal, she maintains household structure and supports her husband in decision-making. Her adaptability faces tests from the island's challenges, including volcanic activity and earthquakes, yet she remains a steadfast presence. Her commitment to the family's well-being is unwavering, and she contributes significantly to their eventual successful departure from the island and resettlement in Australia.