One of the most famous English writers of the 19th century is Robert Lewis Stevenson. āTreasure Islandā is considered one of his best works, the book is included in the golden fund of world literature. Exciting adventures, a fascinating plot, witty dialogues, humor and, finally, a magnificent lively language won the fame of the novel throughout the world.
General characteristics of the work
The protagonist of the novel is a young man named Jim Hawkins, on behalf of whom the story is being narrated. It is from his words that the reader gets acquainted with the rest of the characters: Dr. Livesey, Captain Smollett and the main villain Silver. The plot is not very original: the heroes discover a map with treasures buried on an island and go in search of them. Many adventures in the genre of adventurous prose await them along the way: chases, fights, betrayal, and so on. But the witty construction of the narrative, the colorful images of the characters, the quick, lively action made the novel a classic of the genre. There are many works written in the same spirit, but Robert Lewis Stevenson still holds a leading position. āTreasure Islandā can be safely called a leader in a series of works of this kind. Only the famous dilogy about Captain Blood R. Sabatini can compete.
The hero's place in the composition of the novel
Jim Hawkins is a character who, in principle, can be called the plot engine. It is with him that the whole story with the search for treasures begins in many ways. A map with the coordinates of the island and a description of the location of the treasure falls into his hands. He witnesses a skirmish between Captain Billy Bones and a pirate nicknamed Black Dog and subsequently identifies the latter. Jim Hawkins overheard Silver's conversation with his accomplices and told his comrades about their plans to capture the ship. Subsequently, he repeatedly found himself at the center of the most climactic and dramatic moments. He found Ben Gann, he himself took the ship away from the pirates and, finally, played an important role in finding treasures.
Character
Jim Hawkins is definitely a positive character. He is endowed with the best qualities inherent in a young man of his age. The young man is courageous, enterprising, courageous and inquisitive. He is devoted to his comrades and is ready to take risks for the common good. However, Jim can not be called recklessly brave. On the contrary, he is very careful: if he decides on some dangerous and risky enterprise, then at first he carefully considers his actions, which leads to success.
A difficult life taught him a lot. Jim Hawkins helped his mother maintain a tavern and therefore, from childhood, got used to harsh everyday life. Caring for his mother early awakened in him a sense of responsibility and discretion, which subsequently came in handy for him in those adventures and trials that fell to his lot. Jim Hawkins is very friendly and sociable. Therefore, it is not surprising that he immediately evokes sympathy among his new acquaintances, and even the fierce pirate Silver treats him friendly, protecting the boy from the revenge of his terrible accomplices.
Relations with other characters
Significant is the fact that it was Jim who made the storyteller of this amazing story of the search for the treasures of Captain Flint. The honesty, openness, enterprise of the young man, as well as his common sense, immediately attracted to him those whom he had to face during this amazing expedition to the treasure island. The boy immediately becomes a universal favorite. It is noteworthy that the decency and conscientiousness of this hero immediately arouse the respect of others who fully trust him and treat him as an equal.
Friendship of heroes
Jim is valued as a dedicated companion. All adult members of the expedition show sincere concern for him. Undoubtedly, each of them, deep down, treated him as his own son. Dr. Liveseyās concern for Jim looks very touching when the latter fell into the hands of pirates. Even Ben Gunn, a friend of Jim Hawkins, who at first knew almost nothing about the boy, immediately felt deep sympathy for him. The image of the narrator is the undoubted success of the author, which largely determined the success of the work.
Narrator language
It has already been said above that it was no coincidence that it was Jim Hawkins who became the narrator. āTreasure Islandā unfolds before the readerās mental gaze just from his words. Firstly, Jim is young and therefore very susceptible to the people around him and to the events around him. He has a living mind, he is inquisitive and at the same time objective in his characteristics, perhaps precisely because he is distinguished by a noble character. In addition, he is in his teens, when people are very sensitive to what they become eyewitnesses. Therefore, the story on behalf of Jim turned out to be very lively and entertaining. He is very simple in his assessments and is clearly not inclined to embellish anything or, conversely, to denigrate anyone.
He writes about his exploits and risky ventures without any boasting. His stories are characterized by restraint, accuracy, but at the same time they are very bright and expressive, because the narrator himself was clearly passionate about the adventures that fell to his lot. It seems that he tried to share his amazing story with the reader simply because all this is very interesting and fascinating, and not in order to boast of his exploits.