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Chapter 59
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
The next day, Richard tries to explain the experience of seeing the phosphorescence from underwater to Jed, comparing it to being in space. Richard complains to Jed about Bugs taking credit for discovering the papaya orchard, but Jed doesn’t seem to understand how annoying Richard finds the situation.
Jed’s inability to understand Richard’s problems shows how Richard takes things personally and may be exaggerating the extent to which Bugs is deliberately trying to annoy Richard. The papaya issue is small, but Richard holds on to it even after a day has passed.
Themes
Richard asks Jed if he remembers the Gulf War and if a small part of him was sad that it ended so quickly. Jed doesn’t understand this way of thinking and is confused about why Richard brought up the Gulf War. Richard supposes maybe he’s just looking for excitement in his life at the moment.
Richard wishes he could resolve things with Bugs with a fight, and his mention of the Gulf War here seems related to this side of his personality—the side that craves conflict and the adrenaline rush that comes with it, regardless of the consequences or moral ramifications. Richard wants the excitement and clarity of purpose that he thinks war will bring, but he still hasn’t seen much of violence firsthand.
Themes
Richard and Jed go to a pass between the island’s two highest peaks, which Richard calls the DMZ. Richard creeps around, pretending that if he makes too much noise, he’ll trip a landmine or get shot by a sniper. They make their way to a dope field where marks on the ground show where guards have gone. Richard embarrasses himself, as they both attempt to steal some marijuana, but Richard doesn’t realize he needs to use a knife to cut the thick stems. On the way back, Jed says Richard seems almost disappointed that they didn’t actually see any guards to run from.
Themes
