Friendship. As they are alone on the island, their relationship with each other will be a major theme. They will rely on each other for support and companionship.
Discovery. They will discover new things about themselves and the island. They may find new skills they never knew they had, like fishing or building rafts, and also learn about the unique ecosystem of the island.
The setting of the island is crucial too. It may be a tropical island with rich resources like fruits and fresh water sources, or it could be a more desolate place with limited supplies. This would greatly affect the boys' chances of survival and the overall plot of the novel.
Survival is likely a main theme. The castaway has to figure out how to stay alive in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Self - reliance is very common. Since they are in a situation where no one else can help them easily, they have to rely on themselves. For example, in 'Robinson Crusoe', Crusoe has to build his own shelter, grow his own food. Also, the theme of human nature comes up. We can see how people behave when they are removed from the normal rules of society, like in 'Lord of the Flies' where the boys' behavior changes drastically due to the lack of adult supervision and the harsh island environment.
Since the title mentions 'rich boys', they are likely to be the main characters. There may also be other supporting characters like their friends, family members who might visit the island, or locals on the island with whom they interact. Maybe there's a caretaker on the island property they stay at, or a girl who catches their eye and becomes an important part of the story.
One possible theme could be survival. If the boys are on an island, they might have to fight for survival, and the pig heads could be related to food source or some kind of ritual for survival.
One main theme could be survival. The characters in the island might face challenges like finding food, shelter, etc. Another could be exploration as they discover the unknown parts of the island.
One of the main themes is adventure. The story is full of exciting quests and dangerous situations. Another theme is greed. The pirates are driven by their greed for treasure. Also, there is the theme of coming - of - age as the young Jim Hawkins grows and matures throughout his experiences on the island.
Since I'm not certain which Hislop's island - related novel you're referring to, it's difficult to say. But generally, if it's an island - set novel, themes could include isolation, self - discovery, and the relationship between man and nature.
The main themes in 'the mysterious island novel' include self - reliance. Since they are on their own on the island, they have to depend on themselves to solve problems. Science and knowledge also play a role as a theme. The characters use their scientific understanding to improve their living conditions on the island. For instance, they might use chemistry to purify water or engineering to build better shelters. And there is a theme of discovery, not just of the physical island but also of themselves and their capabilities in this extreme situation.
Survival is a major theme. In many 'island boy novels', the boys have to figure out how to find food, water, and shelter. For example, in 'Lord of the Flies', they start with basic survival needs but then things get more complex as they deal with power struggles within the group.