Scar Island

Jonathan returns to the library and brings back Robinson Crusoe, which he finished reading the night before. He notices that the storm outside has grown more intense “with rainy gusts of wind” (166). Jonathan asks the librarian about the lighthouse that he used to run. The librarian says the lighthouse still exists although it has not been used in years. He says the lighthouse is located above the Admiral’s quarters.

Jonathan asks why the librarian feels more comfortable talking about the past. The librarian replies, “I don’t need a future. I have a past. Instead. You can really only have one. Or the other. I think. And I like my island” (169). When Jonathan points out that the island is a prison, the librarian says, “It’s home” (169).

The librarian gives Jonathan a copy of Lord of the Flies and explains that the book is about a group of abandoned boys on an island. Before leaving, Jonathan asks the librarian what his name is. The librarian replies, “Why, I’m not sure” (171). He suggests that Jonathan could call him Ninety-Nine, the name he has also given to his pet rat.