Isabelle Larocque

Mr Olivier Patenaude
EAE3U
May 11, 2017

Treasure Island: Literary Essay

Example is Leadership

We all grow up. Hopefully, we get wiser. Age brings wisdom, and fatherhood

changes one's life completely.1 In the first chapters of Treasure Island by Robert Louis

Stevenson, Jim is an easily frightened boy who is often associated with his home and family.

As events unfold throughout the novel, Jims character changes dramatically, demonstrating

increasing cleverness, maturity, and perspective. Jim Hawkins flourishes to become a wise,

courageous boy. He looks up to many men of different personalities, and unconsciously uses

bits and pieces of theirs to finally come up with his own personality. Dr Livesey, for example,

is an ideal authority example for Jim. Many of the doctors actions earlier in the novel have an

repercussion on Jims own afterward. With that being said, Jim brings together his

perspective of a man by pursuing Dr Liveseys ways. Dr Livesey proves to be courageous,

respectful, trustworthy, and clever. Although Jim does not spend much time reflecting on the

lessons he has learned from his time on Treasure Island, he does admire Dr Livesey,

unconsciously imitating his manners.

First off, Dr Livesey is courageous, brave and civilized, always while maintaining a

calm authority. For instance, when he cautions Billy Bones about the dangers of drinking in

the first chapter, this enrages Billy Bones, causing him to threaten the doctor with a knife.

Instead of panicking or using violence like most pirates do, Livesey subdues him with his

calm authority. He speaks very clearly whats on his mind, standing up for himself when

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https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/f/frankabagn790836.html?src=t_fatherhood
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intimidated. He [Livesey] spoke to him [Billy Bones] as before, over his shoulder and in the

same tone of voice, rather high, so that all the room might hear, but perfectly calm and

steady. (Stevenson 20) Although he is very audacious, he is able to do so while still

representing the best of the civilized world of men. His actions influence Jim to do the same,

later in the novel. For example, Jim defends himself by telling Israel Hands what comes to

mind, ridiculing his pirate-like ethics: Why?" I cried. "You were asking me just now about

the dead. You've broken your trust; you've lived in sin and lies and blood; there's a man you

killed lying at your feet this moment, and you ask me why! For God's mercy, Mr. Hands,

that's why. (Stevenson 166) It is unmistakable that Jim is very courageous and able to stand

up for himself. After killing Israel Hands, Jim also reveals his maturity and his developing

sense of self. Almost immediately after the fight is over, he emerges from a state of

passionate agitation to a state of control:

I was no sooner certain of this than I began to feel sick, faint, and terrified. The hot

blood was running over my back and chest. The dirk, where it had pinned my shoulder

to the mast, seemed to burn like a hot iron; (...) I clung with both hands till my nails

ached, and I shut my eyes as if to cover up the peril. Gradually my mind came back

again, my pulses quieted down to a more natural time, and I was once more in

possession of myself. (Stevenson 171-172)

The pirates are constantly drunken and impetuous, demonstrating limited or no ability to

oversee the conditions or circumstances that encircle them. On the other hand, Jim behaves in

a sophisticated and conscientious way, taking control of the Hispaniola and designating

himself captain. Comparing Jim and Israel Hands is like correlating those who are

self-sufficient and those who are not. Jim does not even consider being identified as a pirate,
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someone who is not in control of his own mind and senses. Jim obviously does not exemplify

himself as a pirate or criminalhe defines himself rather as a civilized man, alike Livesey.

Second off, Dr Livesey is sympathetic, caring and respectful, always remaining

faithful. For example, he helps Jims sick father at the beginning of the novel, giving him

constant care. Furthermore, when Billy Bones shows up at the Inn and suddenly has a stroke,

Livesey cares for and heals him; even though Billy had never shown any respect for him: I

have only one thing to say to you, sir," replies the doctor, "that if you keep on drinking rum,

the world will soon be quit of a very dirty scoundrel! (Stevenson 20) Dr Livesey, being the

Patriarch he is, governs from a strong moral-religious base (Broderick 270) and bodies the

traditional, ordered world. Foreseeing that the rum will soon kill Billy, Livesey is concerned,

ordering him to be cautious for his own good. Later on in the novel, the doctor is dedicated to

treating the pirates, even at the risk of his own life.

"Drunk or raving," said [Doctor Livesey].

"Right you were, sir," replied Silver; "and precious little odds which, to you and me."

"I suppose you would hardly ask me to call you a humane man," returned the doctor

with a sneer, "and so my feelings may surprise you, Master Silver. But if I were sure

they were raving--as I am morally certain one, at least, of them is down with fever--I

should leave this camp, and at whatever risk to my own carcass, take them the

assistance of my skill." (Stevenson 220-221)

Throughout the novel, Livesey is distinguished in his eagerness to accommodate medical care

to the harmed buccaneers, his own opponents. Later in the plot, Jim implies to impersonate Dr

Liveseys measures. For instance, when Israel Hands is injured, he becomes totally dependent

on Jim. Jim obeys his orders for wine, despite that Israel is the enemy: I'll bring you port,

Mr. Hands. But I'll have to dig for it. (Stevenson 165) Although Jim says he will bring Israel
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wine only to execute a plan of his, he still keeps his word, which proves him loyal and

good-hearted.

Third of all, Dr Livesey proves himself to be pragmatic, intelligent and awfully clever.

For instance, he tells Smollett to give his gun to Trelawney: Captain," said I [Livesey],

"Trelawney is the dead shot. Give him your gun; his own is useless. (Stevenson 118) The

doctor justifies himself to be an excellent role model, since father figures like him seem to

have their act together and are moderate in all like in the contemporary world. (Moberg 675)

Livesey is also capable of devising brilliant plans, like giving a piece of Parmesan cheese to

Ben Gunn to win the castaways loyalty: And you [Jim] never saw me [Livesey] take snuff,

the reason being that in my snuff-box I carry a piece of Parmesan cheese--a cheese made in

Italy, very nutritious. Well, that's for Ben Gunn! (Stevenson 126) This is not necessarily a

quality that Jim develops throughout the novel, but rather a quality that they both have in

common from the beginning. In fact, Long John Silver recognizes this quality in Jim: You're

a lad, you are, but you're as smart as paint. I see that when you first come in. (Stevenson 75)

This expression Silver uses is a simile that combines two sorts of smart: New paint being

bright and fresh in appearance, as well as someone being quick-witted and intelligent.

Although Long John says this to Dick Johnson as well (which is a foolproof example that he

is not the finest father figure), it is unmistakable that Jim is very clever. For instance, he

comes up with a plan to board the recklessly drifting ship: Well, now, (...) it is plain I must

lie where I am and not disturb the balance; but it is plain also that I can put the paddle over

the side and (...) give her a shove or two towards land." No sooner thought upon than done.

(Stevenson 155) Not only is Jim ingenious, but he is also capable of putting his ideas into

action.
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Lastly, Dr Livesey and Jim are both trustworthy, also developing a mutual trust

between each other. For instance, when Dance tries to take care of the situation in the

beginning of the novel, Jim says he would prefer to show the papers to the doctor: To be

sure, boy; quite right," said he [Dance]. "I'll take it, if you like." "I thought perhaps Dr

Livesey--" I [Jim] began. (Stevenson 43) This substantiates that Jim trusts him and looks up

to him, bravely rejecting Dances request. Jim also trusts Livesey enough to tell him about

what he overheard in the apple barrel, and Livesey counts on Jim to bring back useful

information about the conspiracy: Jim here," said the doctor, "can help us more than anyone.

The men are not shy with him, and Jim is a noticing lad. (Stevenson 85) Both of these

characters find themselves a loyal ally, and know who to turn to when the going gets tough.

In the end, Jim greatly admires Dr Livesey, regularly imitating his manners without

even realizing it. Livesey proves to be a courageous, respectful, trustworthy, and clever role

model. Jims understanding of a man is always flourishing, thanks to Dr Liveseys actions

and morals. Although Jim progressively gains maturity, intelligence and perspective

throughout his trip, he has still not moved on, or gained closure: The island is still a place of

fear that will continue to haunt his dreams. Similarly, the pirate life has evidently never been

Dr Liveseys most appropriate field. May this be another aspect these two characters have in

common?

Works Cited

BRODERICK, Carlfred B. Fathers National Council on Family Relations. July 1977.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/583405?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

MOBERG, Dennis J. Role Models and Moral Exemplars: How Do Employees Acquire

Virtues by Observing Others? Cambridge University Press. July 2000.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/3857898

STEVENSON, Robert L. Treasure Island. New York: Airmont Publishing Co., 1911. Print.
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