Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Setting
One of the unfortunate side effects of a nuclear apocalypse is that it doesn't leave many locales left to visit. Because of this, we spend the bulk of On the Beach in sunny Australia, with our few...
What's Up With the Title?
For a three-word title, On the Beach packs in a whole lot of meaning. Don't believe us? Read it and weep, suckas:First, our title references T. S. Eliot's poem, The Hollow Men, which is quoted as t...
What's Up With the Epigraph?
In this last of meeting placesWe grope togetherAnd avoid speechGathered on this beach of the tumid river… ...
What's Up With the Ending?
Spoiler alert.Everyone dies.Yeah, bummer is right. This novel is the biggest tease in the world: it's like if The Lord of the Rings series went on for three books and ended with Sauron winning. Whi...
Tough-o-Meter
Nevil Shute is a straight Shute-er (you should know by now that we have no shame, folks), so expect clear, concise language and straightforward characterization. Although the novel can get science...