# XIX: The Expedition explained — The Blue Lagoon

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

## What happens

Emmeline, Dick, and the child Hannah embark on an expedition around the island to check on the banana trees after a great storm. Emmeline, now transformed by motherhood, confronts her past fears and finds peace with the cycle of life and death. The journey reveals changes in the landscape and triggers memories of their arrival, while a dangerous encounter with a shark and the accidental picking of poisonous 'never-wake-up berries' underscore the persistent perils of their existence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Birth and Creation

Emmeline's new understanding of life and death is framed by the birth of Hannah, which she sees as a 'great light' that justifies and explains the darkness of death.

### Death and Mortality

The chapter contrasts the 'mysterious door' of death (Mr. Button) with the door of birth, and includes the dangerous 'never-wake-up berries' and the shark, reminding of mortality.

### Isolation and Survival

The expedition is driven by the need to secure food (bananas), and Dick's careful forethought (drying sticks, examining the boat) highlights their isolated struggle for survival.

## Character check-ins

### Emmeline

Emmeline, now a mother, experiences a profound shift in perspective, losing her fear of the other side of the island and contemplating the mysteries of birth and death.

### Dick

Dick is focused on practical survival, checking the banana trees and recounting his shark encounter, while showing a protective and somewhat dismissive attitude toward Emmeline.

### Hannah

Hannah, the infant child, is a central figure of innocence and new life, often sleeping and bringing joy to Emmeline.

### Koko

Koko, the bird, accompanies them on the expedition, perching on the boat's gunwale.

## Key lines

> Years ago she had seen a mysterious door close and shut a human being out forever from the world. The sight had filled her with dread unimaginable... Just recently she had seen an equally mysterious door open and admit a human being; and deep down in her mind, in the place where the dreams were, the one great fact had explained and justified the other.

Emmeline reflects that witnessing Mr. Button's death once terrified her, but now, having seen Hannah's birth, she understands that life and death are connected, and death no longer holds the same fear.

_This passage encapsulates Emmeline's philosophical transformation, linking the themes of birth and death._

> The berries that will cause a man to sleep, should he eat of them—to sleep and dream, and never wake up again. 'Throw them away!' cried Dick, who remembered.

Emmeline accidentally picks a branch of poisonous berries that induce a fatal sleep, and Dick urgently tells her to discard them.

_This moment highlights the ever-present danger on the island and Dick's awareness of local hazards._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blue_lagoon_se/chapters/part-ii-xix-the-expedition
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blue_lagoon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blue_lagoon_se/chapters