Self Determination
men crying out for heroic expression
Days of blank spaces have passed

Challenger's credentials in anthropology
His own bestial appearance
A "Columbus of Science"

Evolutionary debates

• Waldron's speech on evolution
• use of textuality: letter to Challenger/letter to Malone
• Self consciousness of writing: "People don't stumble on enormous discoveries. Leave that to the novelists"
• Conceit of addressing the reader

• Pterodactyl wing
• Introduction of Roxton and his catalog of guns
• Proving Challenger's findings through expedition to Brazil

• Indian lore--Curupuri, spirit of the woods
• Entering the unknown
• Finding proof of hostile climate--impaling of J.C,
• Finding familiar species of plants (beech) on plateau, along with English bee
• Concern for rationing stores
• Concern for protocol
• Loss of bridge to outside world, bridge represents missing link.
• Rhetoric of invasion
• Naming of landscape: Maple White Land, Gladys Lake, Fort Challenger
• Two forces on plateau of good and evil (Iguanodon and pterodactyl)
• Inability to identify all species: carnivorous dinosaur
• Comfort in Zambo who now represents link to outside world
• Malone's reflection on time

• Heroism in climbing a tree and sketching map
• Given species on plateau, it is fortuitous that man came late in creation
• Roxton massages his gun (image of masturbation)
• Idea of Nature checking itself--through reproduction or food supply
• Conflict over when to leave plateau
• Encounter with ape man-arboreal species, whitish skin, pimply, red hair, canine teeth=missing link
• Pursuit of Malone by prehistoric monster