Innocence And Idealism In Treasure Island

“For every good reason there is to tell a lie, there is a better one to tell the truth”

In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, Huckleberry Finn runs away from home in order to not be subjected to beatings and harassment from his father. He then goes to an island and meets Ms. Watson’s runaway slave, Jim. They form a friendship and leave the island to try and find some peace away from the town. They embark on an adventurous journey and meet some con men known as a “duke” and a “king,” who proceed to sell Jim back into slavery to make some quick money. Huck subsequently encounters Tom Sawyer, and the two of them meet at Tom’s aunt’s house. There, they plot to set Jim free, and do it successfully. Despite the hardships they face on their adventures, Huck and Jim each respectively maintain a sense of self: Huck adheres to his own sense of morality rather than following society's rules, and Jim maintains human dignity while knowing that he is a slave and not considered a person.

The concept of innocence is sometimes looked upon as weakness. This does not always stand true. Innocence can be a very beautiful thing that is much more than that. This leads up to a theme of both novels which is, innocence is fragile yet powerful in evil situations. This is illustrated by author Khaled Hosseini as well as William Golding. Both themes are expressed through, characterization, conflict and setting.

Golding finishes chapter nine with the phrase,“Simon’s dead body moved out toward the open sea.”(Golding 154) This scenario is significant because Simon was slaughtered by his own clan. Simon was about to explain the misconception about the beast, but before he could do so, he was thought to be the beast and was attacked by the rest of the boys. The boys’ civilized manner was erased as they turned to savageness. The traditional idea of innocent children is not present in this novel. Face paint, pig killings, and disrespect towards one another show the diminishing innocence in the book. Therefore, as the boys turn to savageness, they lose their innocence and display evil.

Joseph Kestner writes, “In Treasure Island, Hawkins is forced to achieve an identity, but this process is riddled with ambiguity, including the fact that Jim commits murder and remains haunted by the experience as a nightmare,” (Masculinities in British Adventure Fiction, 1880-1915). He specializes in masculinity theory from novels written in the late nineteenth century. Kestner can relate to Jim because he is forced to become a new person, kill a human to save his own life, and questions why situations happen. Unlike in Stevenson’s text, Wyeth’s illustration depicts Jim’s stereotypical masculinity through poses and symbolism, thereby suggesting his gendered maturation begins in a domestic rather than adventure setting.

Themes Independency and Maturing Treasure Island is a story about adventure. However it encompasses the theme of Independency and maturing. Jim is a young boy who is in the middle of becoming a Independent and mature adult. He has developed throughout the adventure and has turned into a role model for the others around him.

The book was actually written for Stevenson’s stepson, after painting the island he started the novel and completed 15 chapters. Stevenson finished the book in Switzerland writing a chapter a day. Unknowingly, Stevenson created much of the pirate lore which we have been accustomed to. The pirate speaking almost unintelligibly, a parrot on his shoulder, missing a foot and ready to double cross his best friends for a buck or two. My biggest surprise upon reading “Treasure Island” as an adult was that I realized that the story is not about Jim Hawkins, but about Long John Silver. Granted that usually the villain in any book is usually more colorful and fun than the upstanding protagonist – but this discovery has taken by surprise. Silver’s moral ambiguity is well known but just how amoral the character is I never fully realized as a naïve child (even though I have become a naïve adult). I was happy to discover that “Treasure Island” truly deserves its status as a beloved classic. The story is suspenseful and the adventure can be enjoyed by children of any

Katie Tallman Mr. Condron English III October 22, 2014 Treasure Island Treasure Island, a fascinating book about pirates and their journey, is one of the top selling books in America, says GoodReads.com. The book contains the story of Billie Bones having health problems due to a visit from unwanted old friends. While these health effects are slowing killing Billy Bones, a map is found, and the journey begins. However, this journey is not only the journey to find treasure, but to find out who everyone on this ship really is. Lies, cheating, and persuasion is a reacquiring role in this book, but it shows the reader what may happen in real world situations.

The Development of Jim Hawkins in the novel Treasure Every person is constantly changing from the events happening in his/her life. Whether the changes are positive or negative, they impact the way he/she acts and thinks. In the novel Treasure Island, the main character Jim Hawkins changes from weak to mature and adventurous proving that he has come of age. Beginning at a young age working with his parents, was the start of his transformation.

Jim: The most important person in Treasure Island “ I’ll give you a piece of my mind. I’ve always liked you, I have, for a lad of spirit, and the picture of my own self when I was young and handsome.” Now, Long John Silver didn’t say that for nothing. In Treasure Island, Jim was a hard worker, and his work received positive feedback from all.

Treasure Island, a book created by Robert Louis Stevenson, depicts the story of a young boy who suddenly finds himself on a wild adventure after acquiring a treasure map. Jim and his new shipmates discover most of the crew on board the ship are mutinous pirates. Now stranded on the island, Jim must mature quickly as he goes on a harrowing adventure to help his new allies, stop the pirates, and find the mysterious treasure said to be on the

crew of sailors plus Jim Hawkins to an island to search for buried treasure. The island is introduced to us as skeleton island by the captain, "'Yes, sir Skeleton Island as they calls it. It was a main place for pirates once…'"(pg96) Jim starts calling it Treasure Island I think that's because the name "Skeleton Island" is quite formidable and doesn't sound like a place with lots of treasure, but the name " Treasure Island" on the other hand sound like a great place to go to find treasure because it sound like an island full of treasure which is exactly what the island is an island full of treasure. In addition to, the protagonist calling it "Treasure Island," it's the fact that they're on an island full of treasure that also makes me think that the title fits the book. Furthermore, the book's storyline revolves around treasure like for an example, finding the treasure or the crew splitting up because one side wants the treasure for

Treasure Island is about more than an isle of riches, but the sense of adventure is almost palpable. Imagine being young and just trying to figure out the puzzle of life. Having someone to model off of or look up to is important, and that is a key point to this story. Following through with any commitment is primary. Having an obligation to complete the duty that is delegated. Drugs and alcohol are a huge factor in this story. The men with this addiction have a negative effect on a young boy such as Jim. Being young is a vulnerable part of life they are malleable. How they are shaped is important.

Forces, conflict, and change are very important factors that shape the identity of a character. Jim Hawkins, the main character of Treasure Island, is immensely transformed throughout many challenges, and the forces that cause them. The tragedy of death, the exhilaration of war, and the environment he was in greatly changed who Jim Hawkins was physically and mentally.

Jim Hawkins’ transformation from a timid, 13-year old boy to a young man began when a sailor by the name of Billy Bones