Utopia Vs Dystopia

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Theme – Paradise vs Reality

This theme is seen throughout the novel where the characters are desperate to find a paradise and utopia but neglect the reality and nature of their situation. Can be related to everyday society as people idealise utopia completely disregarding the hardships of reality. Richard Etienne and Francoise are presented as a symbol for the rest of society. When they reach their utopia they are slow to realise the utopia does not truly exist. “Think about the lagoon, hidden from the sea and the passing boats by a high curving wall of rock”. Shows the search for utopia and paradise, shows how Richard is in a mindset that suggests that he will pursue this utopia at any cost fulfil his desire.

Theme - Excessive tourism erodes the natural environment:

Through the juxtaposed setting of the mainland and the beach, the erosive excess of tourism on the natural environment is clearly defined. When Richard first arrives on Kao San Road, he describes the setting around him: “Almost all the buildings had been converted into guest-houses, there were long-distance-telephone booths with air-con, the cafes showed brand-new Hollywood films on video, and you couldn’t walk ten feet without passing a bootleg-tape stall” (page 5). The description can be easily mistaken for a street in any developed country, and this confusion only adds to the claim. These developments of “guest-houses”, “air-con”, “Hollywood films” and “bootleg-tape stalls” are all references to Western culture, and how the functioning of the Kao San Road depends on these similar developments in order to accustom for the tourists passing through. It’s a clear indication of how this exploitation can be made due to the condition in which these countries, such as Thailand are in; poor, and struck by tourism. Tourism’s influence on the natural environment extends to the beach. “The Kyber Pass – and the regular tramping of our feet kept the weeds under control” (page 210). This “tramping” symbolises the destruction of the tourist trail through Thailand and various other parts of the world which have become ‘tourist meccas’. It also acts as a clear indication as to the physical affects that excessive tourism has caused, which is representative in the parting of the weeds to accustom for their walking path. The use of the word “tramping”, is dominant as opposed to ‘strolling’, which shows how not only is tourism placing itself above in importance over the natural environment, but it’s doing so with force.

Conclusion:

The Beach, is a story that highlights numerous themes that we can relate to in contemporary society. Through the employment of narrative conventions such as characterisation and setting, these themes are made clear and the messages attached even clearer. The selfishness and narrow-mindedness of the backpacker is defined in the actions of Richard and his fixation for adventure. The ignorance and lack of understanding towards third world countries by the Western world is shown in the description of settings; highlighting the destructive nature of travellers. And the effect of excessive tourism on the natural environment is evidently placed in the developments that are made to accustom for the travelling tourist. A work of fiction, written 20 years ago; enables the reader to compare certain aspects of the world around us, and encourages thought as to whether such themes are derivative from the world of 1996 alone, or if it continues to be relevant today, in 2016.