The Extermination of Mankind in On the Beach by Nevil Shute

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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...

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