Quotation #2

2. ‘It was not a pebble- it was a leaden bullet.’ (Narrator)

The castaways had always wondered whether or not the island was inhabited. In fact when they had first landed it was the first question that had appeared in their minds, as the presence of humans meant either escape or an unwanted conflict, as they knew the dangers of pirates. With Pencroft’s discovery of the lead bullet inside a young pig, they knew for sure that the island is accessible by humans, and that they have weapons, which are usually not tools of peace.

Referring to the first quotation, a similar feeling of panic had happened again among the group, as their new life on the island could be in grave danger. This discovery preceded the discovery of Ayrton, a castaway on a close island and the eventual coming of pirates themselves. I think that this part of the story had ended the so-called ‘realization period’ and gave the story a new plot line to follow, as before it was simply a story of a band of castaways seemingly trapped forever. That and a couple of other related events will entice the reader, who will look for the answer as to how the castaways will use these events for their benefit.