On The Beach Analytical Paper Essay, Research Paper
In the novel On The Beach, by Nevil Shute, Peter Holmes is a very intricate person. Peter is one of the few people left alive after a nuclear war in the Northern Hemisphere, which killed everyone there. The radiation is slowly drifting southwards towards Australia where he lives with his family. Even though death is near, Peter still serves in the Navy and makes life as enjoyable as possible. Peter Holmes is seen to be intricate since he is loving, is thoughtful, and is also practical.
That Peter can love shows one of his many qualities. Peter knows that he and his family are going to die soon so he loves them enough to take the measures to make their last together better then expected. He got the family pills and a needle for his young daughter so that they would not have to suffer the radiation poisoning.
He got into bed with Mary, mixed the drinks, and took the tablets out of the red cartons. I ve had a lovely time since we got married, she said quietly. Thank you for everything, Peter. He drew her to him and kissed her. I ve had a grand time, too, he said. Let s end on that. They put the tablets in their mouths, and drank.
Peter knows that death by radiation poising is a very painful and unpleasant one so he obtained himself and his family a way to avoid the torture of the radiation.
Peter also thought about his fellow men in the Navy. He allowed them to stay with their loved ones during the end. He even let one stay on shore when they visited Edmonds. One of the crewmen jumped ship and Peter just said, Well, that s it and let him go and die where he lived before the war. Peter did not send men after him; he just let him be and die where he grew up.
Peter cares for his family greatly during this time. He was always there when he said he will be. I ll have to go before very long. I told Mary I was sorry I d got to go on board today, but I d be back by five. Peter is there for his family when they needed him most. He could have stayed and not gone home but he cares and loves his family enough to go and spend time with them before the end comes.
The thoughtfulness of Peter is masked by his unique personality. Peter is very thoughtful of his family and friends, even though he knows the end is near. He is there for them and makes it still seem like life will go on forever. I got her [Mary] a garden rake and a bottle of dillwater. He still makes people feel like nothing is wrong, like there is no radiation at all.
Even during the last days he is thoughtful enough to make his wife happy. I got you a garden seat, anyway. Peter and Mary will die soon but he still wants her to have a garden seat. He thought that she should die peacefully and happy. Peter also felt obligated to help out his friends.
Even though Peter did not know Dwight very well he still asks, Would you care to come down to Falmouth for a couple of nights, sir? Peter is thoughtful enough to ask someone he just met to come stay with him since Dwight is not doing anything. Peter treats everyone with the same kindness and generosity which he treats to his closest friends and family.
Peter is practical showing him to be complex. Peter is practical when it comes to matter of his crew and family. He said, Shall I pick her up? He thought that she might like to hold the baby for a little. Peter sees that death is near and believes that the baby s last moments should be spent in the arms of her mother.
Peter is also practical in his action towards other people. When Peter is first introduced to Dwight he asked for an alcoholic drink. He learned that Americans do not drink in port. I d rather have it your way, if you don t mind, Peter replied. Seven orangeades. Peter knows that he must be accepted by the crew of the submarine so he does what they are accustomed to.
Peter is also practical when it comes to family. An hour later he had a blazing fire in their sitting room, and the garden seat was set up by the wall where she wanted it to be. He knew that his wife was going through a tough time so he made her a fire to keep warm during the tough times. He also took care of their needs since he was not getting sick as fast. Then I ll get you a hot drink. Although he is dying, Peter still cares for his wife and keeps her comfortable.
Throughout the novel, Peter makes every attempt to make life as normal as possible for his family and crewmen, even though everyone knows that they will die soon. Peter and everyone know that they will die soon, yet no one does anything about it. Everyone just takes life like nothing has changed. This is interesting in respect that they really do not mind that death is coming. Everyone seems to embrace it. Seeing and knowing that death is near can be good but it can be scary also, and the people do not seem to mind at all.