The Beach

How does the mixture of Richard’s exhaustion, emotions, cannabis use, and his immersion in his own dreams affect the reliability of his narrative? When does Richard start to lose touch with reality, and what signs indicate his worsening mental health?

What sets Richard apart from everyone else on the island? What are the sources of his feelings of isolation while living on the beach?

The beach is a multi-layered symbol of isolation, separation from reality, the beauty of untouched nature, and adventure. Examine how this symbol is illustrated and how it relates to the novel’s themes.