Shute in his novel, On the Beach, provides many insights on humanities’ inability to comprehend its own demise regardless of the apparent inevitability and / or proximity of ones extermination. He effectively presents this psychological shortcoming of disbelief by delineating the common coping mechanism that is shared by all of the characters: The desire to work and maintain a progressive outlook towards ones future options. Work serves as a blinder or shield from the characters near termination by exercising the same routine that was typical behavior previous to the discernment of the soon-coming apocalypse. Thus, the characters in On the Beach find salvation and consolation through work by using it as an illusion of desired normalcy in midst of disordered chaos.
Peter especially understands the necessity of maintaining consistency in everyday routine not solely for his own sanity; but in order to create the illusion of normalcy to his wife of whom feared death most. Also, Shute gives many indications that Peter even enjoys working and keeping himself occupied despite any circumstance. Although, he does not totally accept the gravity of the situation, yet he does embrace it more than most characters. Peter’s decision to leave his daughter and wife for an extended period, disregarding the limited time remaining, is a prime example of his partial inability to grasp the imminence of his families’ demise.
Instead, Peter fulfills his obligation to his occupation in order to enhance his “future” career that will not even exist. Similar to many characters in the book, Peter would like to spend up until the last of his days working in order to distract himself from the hopeless time in which they live. Aside from work, Peter and Mary show their strict adherence to conventional activities through their obsession with cultivating and nurturing plants in their garden. Although the tireless care they give to their flowers that they will never see grow, seems ridiculous to the reader, it is simply another way of planning and enhancing their quality of life “down the road.” Lastly, Peter adheres to a normal itinerary predominantly to preserve the sanity and livelihood of his family members, not himself. Dwight Towers most exemplifies the use of work as an outlet from the tragedy that engulfed their world. He was completely and whole-heartedly loyal to the service of the United States Navy, even when it ceased to exist.
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His duty allowed him to forget and ignore his families’ death as well as his own by being fully dedicated to “Navy Code.” Although, he seemed to attain the same blind loyalty to his work even before this nuclear disaster; especially apparent when he admits that he probably would have launched the bombs if his superiors would have ordered him to do so. Thomas would have defended his national honor unceasingly despite any moral implications or consequence. He was trained to be obedient and follow orders, and that he did all the way to his grave. Another example of his dedication to his occupation was when the rest of the soldiers requested to go home for their last days alive. Instead of allowing them to man the submarine by themselves and in turn he stay with Moira, he went along with his soldiers and abandoned the last person that he truly loved on the eve of death. Tragically, Dwight’s need for obedience in life overpowered his desire to comfort Moira upon their death.
The one character that refused to follow the conventional adherence to routine and work was John Osbourne. Instead, he fully embraced his impending death and saw it as an opportunity to experience the deteriorating effects of radiation firsthand. Moreover, he attempts to fulfill all of his dreams that were too dangerous or impractical under normal circumstances. The first example is when he attempts to escape his mundane lifestyle by using his knowledge of radiation as an excuse to travel on the submarine.
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For thousands of years, cities have existed, bringing together large numbers of people in common living conditions, complemented by the infrastructure to support the needs of these people, centers of commerce, and the like. In a modern context, cities are planned and executed with practiced precision, in an attempt to create an orderly setting for what has become a hectic way of life in light of ...
Although, this event also shows that he does not completely abandon his occupation, rather uses it to fulfill his life dreams. Also, he is finally willing to risk his life by racing his Ferrari in the Grand Prix, because death is no longer a distant possibility rather an upcoming reality. The other character’s think that his actions are preposterous and crazy because of their strict obedience to routine, yet it seems that he faces their devastating condition most effectively. Lastly, escaping routine allowed Osbourne to fully embrace the apocalypse head-on without any sort of fear, sorrow, or regret Shute effectively conveys humanities inability to comprehend and embrace the extermination of mankind even with sufficient evidence and proof. He delineates characters that are in disbelief of their situation, similar to if we were to be put in the same situation. Shute shows the reader that humanity has created a power stronger than itself, and once it is used it can never be contained.
Moreover, he conveys to the reader that if we were in a similar situation our ignorance and disbelief would not prevent the radiation from eradicating us and the whole of humanity, although we may believe it will. Shute ultimately conveys to the reader that one must fully embrace life as if he were in the midst of death; and not to use routine and work as a means of avoiding ones own harsh realities.
