The Lost World in summary

As I approached the conclusion of this novel, I began to wonder exactly how it ended. With fifteen pages left to the novel, the main characters find themselves in a room surrounded by raptors with what appears to be no way out. Even as the book draws to a close and the last inked words are read, I was confused. Yes, they were on a boat off the island, but we don't know if the boat has enough gas to get them back to the mainland, or even if they make it back due to other conditions. All we really know is that they do get off the island on a boat, as Ian Malcolm describes to them the answer to a puzzle they were working on the whole time they were on the island.

Despite this rather anti-climactic ending, Malcolm certainly brings up some good points.

"'Human beings are so destructive,' Malcolm said. 'I sometimes think we're a kind of plague that will scrub the earth clean. We destroy things so well that sometimes I think, maybe that's our function. Maybe every few eons, some animal comes along that kills off the rest of the world, clears the decks, and lets evolution proceed to its next phase.'" (Crichton, 429)

What if we are the next destructive force? The things we've already done to this planet are astounding. Not to mention the things we do to each other. In one way or another, it seems to me that the human race is intent on tearing each other down and not stopping for anything else in the paths of what we want. Even the most peaceful of protests is violent and destructive in its own way.  And maybe that's exactly what we need right now. A new force to step in and show us that we aren't always fully in control.