# XIII: Death Veiled with Lichen explained — The Blue Lagoon

> Chapter companion for The Blue Lagoon by H. de Vere Stacpoole.

## What happens

Mr. Button takes the children to explore the island, discovering a lichen-covered skull that hints at past violence. They climb to the highest point for a panoramic view of the island and sea, where Mr. Button spots a distant island. Emmeline gathers poisonous arita berries, but Mr. Button intervenes before she can eat them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and Mortality

The discovery of a skull with a violent wound introduces death and past violence into the seemingly idyllic island.

### The Sublime and Terrible Nature

The beautiful yet indifferent landscape, with poisonous berries and hidden dangers, embodies nature's sublime and terrible aspects.

### Innocence and Loss

The children's innocent play contrasts with the grim reality of the skull and the poisonous berries, foreshadowing loss of innocence.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Button

Leads the exploration, discovers the skull, warns the children about poisonous berries, and scans the horizon.

### Dick

Finds the skull and is curious about it, plays with Emmeline among the trees.

### Emmeline

Gathers flowers and later poisonous arita berries, showing her childlike innocence.

## Key lines

> It was a lichen-covered skull, with a great dent in the back of it where it had been cloven by an axe or some sharp instrument.

The skull, covered in lichen, had a large dent from a sharp weapon like an axe.

_Reveals evidence of past violence on the island._

> Nowhere in the world, perhaps, so well as here, could you appreciate Nature’s splendid indifference to the great affairs of Man.

This place perfectly shows how nature remains unconcerned with human events.

_Highlights the theme of nature's indifference._

> Lave thim berries down! ... thim's the never-wake-up berries.

Drop those berries; they are poisonous and can kill you.

_Mr. Button warns Emmeline about the deadly arita berries._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blue_lagoon_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-death-veiled-with-lichen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blue_lagoon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blue_lagoon_se/chapters