Chapter 32
In an attempt to keep spirits high, Silver and the gang take a break from the hunt, and Silver says that he thinks the treasure will be found soon. The pirates hear the song that is incessantly sung, and recognize it in a familiar voice:
Fifteen men on the dead man's chest
Yo ho ho! and a bottle of rum!
The pirates are convinced that the voice belongs to the late Captain Flint, and that they have aroused a ghost. The pirates are all terrified, except Silver (who, Vis-a-Vis, was way better off than everyone else), who insists they keep looking for the treasure. When they finally reach the place where the treasure is supposed to be, all they find is an empty hole. Quite a "fly in the ointment" moment, don't you think?
Chapter 33
Before disappointment and shock set in among the pirates, Silver cooks up (no pun intended) a plan. Deciding that he needs Jim after all, Silver hands his gun to Jim. After finding just a couple of coins in the hole, the pirates accuse Silver of knowing where the treasure really was the whole time. Then, in the nick of time, Livesey, Ben Gunn, and Grey appear behind the trees and shoot the pirates who were about to attack Silver. It turns out that Ben Gunn (the antecedent) found the treasure first, and moved it to a cave. They head to the cave, and have a very nice meal.
Chapter 34
In the last chapter of Treasure Island, we come to an excellent ending with a full conclusion (Thanks, Robert). On their way off the island, the gang finds three of the mutineers. They don't bring them along, but leave them with some supplies (Turns out the pirates had a little heart! Who knew?). The abandoned pirates shoot at the Hispaniola and fail at hurting anyone (though a bullet went right over Silver's head). The ship hits an iceberg and cracks in half, killing nearly everyone on board. Wait a second. That was The Titanic. Ignore what I just said. Stevenson tells us how the characters turn out in their lives post-book.
Smollett: Retired from life on the ocean.
Ben Gunn: Blew all his money in nineteen days and became a lodge keeper; lives alone with a cat (I lied about the cat).
Silver: Crept overboard and was never to be heard from again (I feel a sequel coming on...)
Jim: Has nightmares of Captain Flint saying "Pieces of eight! pieces of eight!"
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Treasure Island Post 11: Chapters 29-31
Chapter 29
Silver is handed the "black spot" (torn out of the Bible), a judgement that tells him he is no longer in charge. The pirates gave him this in punishment for messing up the assignment. Silver says that they would have already had the treasure at this point if they had just listened to him. Silver reminds the pirates of everything he did for them. Silver gives Jim the "black spot" as a type of souvenir and Jim reads the Biblical quote from Revelation. This was very ambiguous, and could have meant anything. Jim sleeps while thinking about the man he killed that day, and about Silver's destiny.
Chapter 30
The next morning, Livesey begins to tend to the pirates. It's obvious that Livesey is surprised to see Jim. After a while of not speaking to Jim, Livesey asks to speak to him alone. Still in view of Silver, Silver invites himself to join in the conversation. Livesey comments how it's odd that Silver isn't concerned about losing his hostage. Livesey also calls Jim a coward because he deserted the captain at his breaking point, and Jim begins to cry. What seemed to be out of nowhere, Livesey suggests to ditch the pirates. Jim says that's not too bright, and also mentions that he knows where the ship is. Livesey returns Jim to Silver. He tells Silver not to be in too big of a hurry to find the booty.
Chapter 31
After thanking Silver for saving his life, Jim sits down for breakfast. Three times as much food as needed has been prepared, and Jim is appalled. Jim is convinced that Silver will abandon him when the time is right. The treasure hunt began after breakfast. The gang found a skeleton lying at the top of a hill that looked like it was pointing to the treasure like a compass. The skeleton's knife is missing, so they're probably not the first to see it. The pirates identify the corpse as a man named Allardyce. Allardyce worked for Flint. With little ambivalence, the pirates follow Allardyce's hint, and the hunt continues.
Silver is handed the "black spot" (torn out of the Bible), a judgement that tells him he is no longer in charge. The pirates gave him this in punishment for messing up the assignment. Silver says that they would have already had the treasure at this point if they had just listened to him. Silver reminds the pirates of everything he did for them. Silver gives Jim the "black spot" as a type of souvenir and Jim reads the Biblical quote from Revelation. This was very ambiguous, and could have meant anything. Jim sleeps while thinking about the man he killed that day, and about Silver's destiny.
Chapter 30
The next morning, Livesey begins to tend to the pirates. It's obvious that Livesey is surprised to see Jim. After a while of not speaking to Jim, Livesey asks to speak to him alone. Still in view of Silver, Silver invites himself to join in the conversation. Livesey comments how it's odd that Silver isn't concerned about losing his hostage. Livesey also calls Jim a coward because he deserted the captain at his breaking point, and Jim begins to cry. What seemed to be out of nowhere, Livesey suggests to ditch the pirates. Jim says that's not too bright, and also mentions that he knows where the ship is. Livesey returns Jim to Silver. He tells Silver not to be in too big of a hurry to find the booty.
Chapter 31
After thanking Silver for saving his life, Jim sits down for breakfast. Three times as much food as needed has been prepared, and Jim is appalled. Jim is convinced that Silver will abandon him when the time is right. The treasure hunt began after breakfast. The gang found a skeleton lying at the top of a hill that looked like it was pointing to the treasure like a compass. The skeleton's knife is missing, so they're probably not the first to see it. The pirates identify the corpse as a man named Allardyce. Allardyce worked for Flint. With little ambivalence, the pirates follow Allardyce's hint, and the hunt continues.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Treasure Island Post 10: Chapters 26-28
Chapter 26
When Hands suggests throwing the body overboard, he says it's okay, because a body is just a body. Jim then told hands that the Spirit never dies, so Hands shouldn't throw him overboard. Hands claims that the brandy is too strong for his head, and asks for wine instead. Jim honors his request, in addition to sneaking below the floor and spying on Hands. Hands pulls out a knife, and hides it in his pocket. Later, when Jim feels relaxed, Hands attacks him. They get into a fight, and Jim eventually ends up climbing up the mast, and then getting a knife thrown at him, pinning him through his shirt to the mast. With little ambivalence, Jim shoots Hands, and he falls into the water.
Chapter 27
After watching Hands bob up to the surface of the water, and then sink to the bottom for good, Jim climbs down the mast. After examining his wound, Jim pushes the other dead man overboard. Jim decides to swim to shore after noticing he's the only person on the ship. After reaching shore, Jim looks for the stockade. Finding the excess firewood being burned ambiguous, Jim quietly sneaks in, finding everyone asleep. The parrot squeals, "Pieces of Eight!" and Jim tries to escape, but is held back.
Chapter 28
Silver tells Jim that he reminds himself of what he was like when he was his age. Silver also tells Jim that Dr. Livesey was grateful to be rid of Jim (a statement that Jim only sort of believes). Jim notices that Silver is having trouble keeping his men under control (only six pirates remain). Jim spills the beans by telling everyone how he had cut the rope on the Hispaniolia and killed Israel Hands. Jim also boldly tells Silver that he is not afraid of him. Silver tries testing his power over the other pirates, but they all gather up in the corner, leaving Jim and Silver in the other corner. Silver tells Jim that the other men are close to another conspiricy, and that he and Jim need to count on each other to save each other's lives. Silver tells Jim that he will play a hostage, and make it look like Siver is still in charge. Then Silver tells Jim that Livesey gave him the treasure map. Jim is shocked.
When Hands suggests throwing the body overboard, he says it's okay, because a body is just a body. Jim then told hands that the Spirit never dies, so Hands shouldn't throw him overboard. Hands claims that the brandy is too strong for his head, and asks for wine instead. Jim honors his request, in addition to sneaking below the floor and spying on Hands. Hands pulls out a knife, and hides it in his pocket. Later, when Jim feels relaxed, Hands attacks him. They get into a fight, and Jim eventually ends up climbing up the mast, and then getting a knife thrown at him, pinning him through his shirt to the mast. With little ambivalence, Jim shoots Hands, and he falls into the water.
Chapter 27
After watching Hands bob up to the surface of the water, and then sink to the bottom for good, Jim climbs down the mast. After examining his wound, Jim pushes the other dead man overboard. Jim decides to swim to shore after noticing he's the only person on the ship. After reaching shore, Jim looks for the stockade. Finding the excess firewood being burned ambiguous, Jim quietly sneaks in, finding everyone asleep. The parrot squeals, "Pieces of Eight!" and Jim tries to escape, but is held back.
Chapter 28
Silver tells Jim that he reminds himself of what he was like when he was his age. Silver also tells Jim that Dr. Livesey was grateful to be rid of Jim (a statement that Jim only sort of believes). Jim notices that Silver is having trouble keeping his men under control (only six pirates remain). Jim spills the beans by telling everyone how he had cut the rope on the Hispaniolia and killed Israel Hands. Jim also boldly tells Silver that he is not afraid of him. Silver tries testing his power over the other pirates, but they all gather up in the corner, leaving Jim and Silver in the other corner. Silver tells Jim that the other men are close to another conspiricy, and that he and Jim need to count on each other to save each other's lives. Silver tells Jim that he will play a hostage, and make it look like Siver is still in charge. Then Silver tells Jim that Livesey gave him the treasure map. Jim is shocked.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Treasure Island Post 9: Chapters 23-25
Chapter 23
The boat that Jim is on is quite unsteady. It's really hard to control, but Jim somehow manages to reach the ship he wants to cut loose. After getting there, Jim remembers that when you cut a ship loose, it snaps so much that you can hurt yourself, so Jim takes extra care when cutting the rope. He waits for the finishing cut when the tension is as light as possible as the ship wobbles around because of the wind. While waiting for the perfect moment, Jim listens to the unintelligible chatter and morbid songs coming out of the drunken mouths on the ship. Finally, Jim is able to cut the last part of the rope and set the Hispaniola loose. As a last minute decision, Jim grabs hold of the rope and peers into the upper window. The pirates are distracted, and don't notice the sudden movement. Hands and another man are wrestling. Jim is suddenly pushed into the coracle, and drifts away. Convinced he will die, Jim commits his soul to God, and falls asleep.
Chapter 24
Finally, Jim awakes and sees that he's by the southwest end of Treasure Island; he heads north. After much effort and tenacity, Jim gets to where he wanted to go. He sees the Hispaniola still just floating around, and assumes that the crew either left, or everyone is drunk. Realizing he can take over the ship, Jim manages to get aboard. Jim hears the coracle get ran into and crushed, so there's no way he can escape now.
Chapter 25
Jim finds no one on deck, until after a little while, he sees Israel Hands, and a dead man (Who Hands constantly mocks, and later asks to throw his body overboard). Jim says hi to Hands, who begs for brandy. Jim finds out that most of the alcohol is gone after heading downstairs. Jim brings a drink to Hands, and asks to be captain. Jim throws the pirates' flag overboard. Hands negotiates with Jim saying that if Jim gives him food, drink, and medical attention, he'll help Jim control the Hispaniola. Jim enjoys his new position, but is still cautious.
The boat that Jim is on is quite unsteady. It's really hard to control, but Jim somehow manages to reach the ship he wants to cut loose. After getting there, Jim remembers that when you cut a ship loose, it snaps so much that you can hurt yourself, so Jim takes extra care when cutting the rope. He waits for the finishing cut when the tension is as light as possible as the ship wobbles around because of the wind. While waiting for the perfect moment, Jim listens to the unintelligible chatter and morbid songs coming out of the drunken mouths on the ship. Finally, Jim is able to cut the last part of the rope and set the Hispaniola loose. As a last minute decision, Jim grabs hold of the rope and peers into the upper window. The pirates are distracted, and don't notice the sudden movement. Hands and another man are wrestling. Jim is suddenly pushed into the coracle, and drifts away. Convinced he will die, Jim commits his soul to God, and falls asleep.
Chapter 24
Finally, Jim awakes and sees that he's by the southwest end of Treasure Island; he heads north. After much effort and tenacity, Jim gets to where he wanted to go. He sees the Hispaniola still just floating around, and assumes that the crew either left, or everyone is drunk. Realizing he can take over the ship, Jim manages to get aboard. Jim hears the coracle get ran into and crushed, so there's no way he can escape now.
Chapter 25
Jim finds no one on deck, until after a little while, he sees Israel Hands, and a dead man (Who Hands constantly mocks, and later asks to throw his body overboard). Jim says hi to Hands, who begs for brandy. Jim finds out that most of the alcohol is gone after heading downstairs. Jim brings a drink to Hands, and asks to be captain. Jim throws the pirates' flag overboard. Hands negotiates with Jim saying that if Jim gives him food, drink, and medical attention, he'll help Jim control the Hispaniola. Jim enjoys his new position, but is still cautious.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Treasure Island Post 8: Chapters 19-22
At the beginning of Chapter 19, Jim Hawkins takes over narration.
Chapter 19
Jim approaches the stockade with Ben Gunn after seeing the British flag hanging over it. Jim isn't sure who it is, but Ben says that pirates wouldn't hang the Union Jack flag, so it's okay to go. The good guys at the stockade flee after a canon shot. After returning to shore, Jim sees the Jolly Roger hanging on the ship.
The men sound drunk. Jim tells Smollett his story, and Smollett assigns jobs to everyone, making Jim the sentry. Smollett questions the sanity of Ben Gunn, but shows the crazy man kindness nonetheless. Jim goes to bed, but wakes up hearing that Silver is proposing a truce.
Chapter 19
Jim approaches the stockade with Ben Gunn after seeing the British flag hanging over it. Jim isn't sure who it is, but Ben says that pirates wouldn't hang the Union Jack flag, so it's okay to go. The good guys at the stockade flee after a canon shot. After returning to shore, Jim sees the Jolly Roger hanging on the ship.
 |
| The Jolly Roger |
Chapter 20
Smollett suspects that Silver's truce is a trick. Silver calls himself "Captain Silver" and says that he want to compromise with Smollett. Smollett refuses to talk with him. Even so, Silver talks to Smollett. Silver is willing to exchange cease-fire for the treasure map. Angry, Smollett tells Silver that he's more powerful than Silver's team, and refuses. Silver begs; Smollett refuses again.
Chapter 21
Smollett orders the men to be prepared for the pirates to attack them. After waiting for an hour, they hear shots, and see pirates hopping over the stockade. Trelawny and Gray shoot, and wound many of them. A fight breaks out, and the good guys lose less men than the bad guys.
Chapter 22
The good guys hang out for a while at the stockade. Dr. Livesey takes the map and heads out into the open and Gray asks if he's gone crazy. Jim says that Livesey went to meet up with Ben. Jim is left inside to clean up the bloodshed from the miniature battle earlier, and wants to be a hero. Jim heads out to look for the boat that Ben had mentioned, and instead finds Silver and his crew; he later finds the boat. Jim decides to sail to the Hispaniola and let it loose. He heads to the water that night.
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