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Chapter 38
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
As the boat chugs along, Richard is eager to see Ko Pha-Ngan, even though he’s heard the area is past its prime. As they get closer, however, Richard begins to feel anxious. He realizes that returning to “the world” will force him to remember some of his old concerns. He tries to distract himself by thinking of Françoise. He snaps out of his daydreams as Jed gives him instructions about how to dock the boat.
Richard wants the beach to be an authentic escape from his problems in “the world.” His inner monologue here, however, suggests insecurity, as he fears that re-entering the real world will make him realize how life at the beach falls short. Rather than face his fears, he finds ways to distract himself as usual—in this case, by picturing Françoise.
Themes
