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Chapter 29
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Beach, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Tourism and Authenticity
Power, Control, and Human Nature
War, Violence, and Escapism
Secrecy, Fear, and Paranoia
Summary
Analysis
Using two big stones to weigh himself down, Richard sinks deep enough to get a good look at the coral. He sees Keaty swimming above him and as a joke, uses his fingernails to mimic a fish biting Keaty. When they surface, Keaty is annoyed with Richard, who says that sharks are a real problem by the beach. They talk about the different places they’ve traveled—Keaty has been around Asia and South America, while Richard has mostly traveled in Asia and a bit in Europe.
For Richard, the idea of a shark biting Keaty is just a joke. This shows how he doesn’t take the threat seriously, but Keaty gets angry because sharks are a real problem at the beach. This reflects how Richard often underestimates the significance of the real dangers around him. He seems to treat his surroundings as part of a big game, disregarding the real dangers that exist all around him.
Themes
Keaty says he’s been at the beach for two years. He met Sal on a hike, and she eventually told him about the place. Richard asks about Daffy, whom no one at the camp talks about. Keaty says he didn’t know Daffy well because he seemed distant. He tells Richard there’s a tree he needs to see by the waterfall that will explain more.
Themes
