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Chapter 65
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
Richard goes to a spot at the pass overlooking the DMZ. He has no need to go down there but plans to anyway. Richard watches Zeph, Sammy, and the others on the nearby island, feeling bored by how little they’ve done in the past few days. Eventually he gets tired of looking out for them and goes down to the DMZ, hoping to find a guard looking for trespassers.
While Richard’s primary interest is the Vietnam War, the DMZ (demilitarized zone) is a reference to Korea and the Korean War. Richard’s mixing of Vietnam and Korean War terms show how he views wars in Asia as interchangeable, similar to how he views the Swedish men as interchangeable.
Themes
As Richard walks toward the dope fields, he sees an armed guard who doesn’t notice him. Richard follows the man, knowing it’s dangerous to do so. Eventually, the guard seems to sense something and turns in Richard’s direction, but he doesn’t notice Richard through the brush. He keeps walking, and Richard stays still for a long time. Eventually, Richard leaves, excited but also disappointed that he only saw a guard for such a brief period of time.
Themes
