PLOT STRUCTURE ANALYSIS

The plot of Treasure Island is simple and follows a linear pattern. Through the observations of the narrator Jim Hawkins, Stevenson describes the trials and tribulations of the sea voyage to Treasure Island. This book was first published as a serial is a magazine for children as ‘The Sea Cook’ by ‘Captain George Nork’. The story chronicles a series of incidents that brings about personality changes in the life of Jim Hawkins after an old seaman named Billy Bones comes to stay at his father’s Inn, the Admiral Benbow. The incidents at the inn makes Jim a proud possessor of the original map to Treasure Island. Jim along with Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney undertakes the journey to the island with a proper crew comprising a Captain, cook, boatswain, coxswain and sailors. Jim overhears a conspiracy being planned while he is concealed in the apple barrel.

Like the incident in the apple barrel, Jim is exposed to a series of exciting discoveries of people and places. The incident of meeting Ben Gunn; his urge to first cut the Hispaniola free and then to capture it. His hopeless state in the sea; his fight with Israel Hands; his capture in the enemy’s camp.

The plot develops step-by-step with the protagonist and his experiences. To bring completeness to the plot, the author brings in the doctor to narrate his experiences with the crew and the pirates when Jim is stranded in the island. Thus there is a second narrative viewpoint.

Jim’s capture in the enemy’s camp and Silver’s downfall as the Captain of the pirates when they find out that the treasure has already been unearthed, brings the story to a climax. The pace and power of the plot doesn’t slacken even in the last chapter, when the Captain decides to maroon the three pirates on the island. Silver’s escape from the Hispaniola in the finishing paragraphs of the book keep the reader constantly glued to the pages of Treasure Island. Thus we may conclude that the serialized nature of the book does not diminish its interest-value in any way. In fact, it allows for suspense to be maintained. That is the main strength of Treasure Island.

THEMES - THEME ANALYSIS

Treasure Island is a gripping adventure story that records the physical voyage and emotional development of the protagonist, Jim Hawkins. He grows from an irresponsible, immature lad to a mature, sociable youth. The voyage that transforms Jim takes him away from his calm country life, to the high seas and to the unknown island where Captain Flint’s treasure is buried.

Stevenson builds up the character of Jim carefully by planting him in strange situations, every experience contributing to the image building of the character.

It is a story of dream fulfillment which ends on a happy note. The smooth flowing narrative of the story with its various situations directly talks to the reader about the moral values that needs to be incubated in a growing child. The very first line of the book, for instance, brings out the quality of obedience of Jim Hawkins when he is asked by the doctor and the Squire to write down the experiences they went through at Treasure Island.

The development of Jim’s character to a mature young lad is built up through different characters like Dr. Livesey, Squire Trelawny and Captain Smollet, the most memorable amongst them being the Sea Cook, Long John Silver.

Stevenson introduces us to the characteristics of pirates through the strong portrayal of the Sea Cook. The image of the Sea Cook stays with readers for a long time, probably because the story was actually named ‘the Sea Cook’ originally.

Though the mature characters of the book do stand out as father figures for the young protagonist, Jim’s image as a young hero who contributes to the story in a major way comes out strongly for young readers.

Stevenson’s intention was to merely entertain his readers with interesting characters. As Stevenson once said that this book was intended "to be a story for boys; no need of psychology or fine writing." Though there is plenty of both in Treasure Island and the book more than anything else thoroughly entertains the young readers.

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