“The Shell Collector” primarily explores the impact that sea creatures can have on humans. The story's blind protagonist is fascinated by marine shells, a part of nature he can explore through touch. However, when certain sea creatures interact with people, they can be dangerous, even deadly. The cone shell is responsible for Josh's death and poses a threat to the collector's own life. Individuals who come into contact with fire coral suffer severe cuts and burns. Avoiding injury requires knowledge and caution, and the collector manages to stay safe until he is drugged with hashish one night. Nearby in Lamu, locals believe that the cone shell's sting, which healed Seema, might cure other ailments. Lepers and those with mental illnesses visit the collector's kibanda, hoping to find healing by taking shells. Josh mentions that American scientists suspect the cone shell's venom could have medicinal properties. The collector earns his livelihood by providing shells to university researchers. The narrative cautiously suggests that the cone shell might be a medical treasure from the sea. However, it also warns that careless or uninformed handling of sea creatures can have serious consequences for unsuspecting individuals.

“The Shell Collector” highlights the contrast between urban living and a life immersed in nature, far removed from modern technology and conveniences. The central character is likely Canadian by birth, well-educated, and widely traveled. However, starting at age fifty-eight, he adopts a lifestyle reminiscent of indigenous peoples, unlike his son, who grows up in the United States. The collector lives in sync with nature, appreciating its marvels and respecting its perils. He resides far from the nearest town, Lamu, and finds the arrival of motor boats both personally distressing and harmful to the delicate reefs near his home. Technologically advanced places, like the university where he sends shell samples and the city where his son studies shell research, are peripheral to the story. Instead, the focus is on the Lamu Archipelago, with its vibrant natural presence, abundant wildlife, and the insignificance of individuals in the vast natural landscape. The collector is deeply connected to nature. He's taken aback when Josh cleans the counters and when Nancy speaks rapidly about her life in Seattle. The modern world and its people create disturbances in this untouched environment and are jarring to the blind man who has embraced a simple life in harmony with nature.

The health challenges in such a remote area are recognized: even if a doctor can be found, they might arrive too late, and the lack of resources leaves many without needed medical care. However, the naivety and arrogance of city dwellers who intrude uninvited, imposing their values, are also acknowledged. It's a complex issue with perhaps a complex solution: nature can provide new medicines, but mishandling it can harm human health. Both urban and rural areas offer valuable knowledge, yet the people in each hold different assumptions, beliefs, and objectives. When individuals from these contrasting backgrounds meet, it can lead to unproductive outcomes. Josh’s unfortunate fate illustrates this negative impact: he joins the Peace Corps with noble intentions, but his lack of experience and understanding leads to his demise, extinguished like a small flame.

“The Shell Collector” highlights how sensationalism influences the media's selection of topics. It also reveals the challenges journalists face when covering subjects they do not fully comprehend and the constraints on newscasters who can only briefly address complex issues. After Nancy and Seema recover, rumors about miracle cures quickly circulate throughout Kenya. Initially, the story doesn't attract significant media attention, with coverage limited to local radio and newspapers. However, as the news...