Journal Book: treasure island

Entry 1

Significantly, the first chapter sets the background for many of the stylistic elements
that Robert Louis Stevenson later explores in Treasure Island. First, Stevenson's
narrative style is notable. The first paragraph is a good example of Stevenson's
narrative technique, as well as a model of romance suggestion. Its single sentence
conveys a degree of haste as it plunges the reader directly into the action. The reader
learns that the story is to be told by one of the participants in an adventure; the
adventure is to concern buried treasure, some of which still remains on the island
where it was concealed; the adventurers are gentleman who hop to benefit from their
discovery

Entry 2
One of the most important symbols of this chapter is the notch in the inn's signboard
that occurs when Billy Bones (the stranger) is attempting to shoot his shipmate,
Black Dog. The notch is symbolic, foreshadowing the tumultuousness that the arrival
of Billy Bones brings to the inn and Jim's family. The shot is not on purpose, nor
intended for the sign, but like the inn and Jim's family, the sign is an innocent
bystander in the mysterious feud between the captain and his shipmates.

Entry 3
This chapter is one of the most action-filled chapters of the book, typical of the style
in which the novel is written. As Robert Louis Stevenson described, this is a faced
paced adventure book, not a slow book full of details. In nearly every page,
something significant happens in this chapter: the death of Jim's father, the arrival of
the blind man, the death of Billy Jones, and the mysterious meeting at 10 o'clock. In
a book of this torrid pace, it is interesting to see what type of people and events
receive extra attention and any description of details.

Entry 4
In this chapter, a major theme of the novel is also expanded and furthered. Since its
publication, critics have classified this novel as a "classical adventure." As one of the
main thematic elements of a classical adventure is the manner in which the
protagonist of the novel becomes involved in the actions. In this case, Jim, the
protagonist, is initially an innocent bystander but through events out of his own
control he becomes an active participant in the story in the book, determining his
own course of action.

Entry 5
Chapter 5 is full of foreshadowing of the future theme of the novel: it is a preliminary
skirmish between the forces of good and evil - presented as "our side" (or Jim's side)
versus the others, another true aspect of the adventure story style. This drama
serves to heighten the already excited atmosphere and to foreshadow the future.
The aura of romance is added to the incident to make it seem like more than a mere
brawl, for example "the window of the captain's room was thrown open with a slam
and a jingle of broken glass; and a man leaned out into the moonlight, head and
shoulders, and addressed the blind beggar on the road below him."
Entry 6
The most symbolic figure in this chapter is the boy that Squire Trelawney has hired
to help Jim's mother. It is not until Jim sees this boy, whom he treats very harshly,
that he realizes that he is indeed going to be gone for a prolonged period of time.
The boy symbolizes Jim's childhood and the fact that no longer will he merely be a
help at the family's inn, but he has been forced to grow up through circumstances
that were of no fault of their own. The boy, therefore, represents what Jim used to
be, something that he cannot return to.
Entry 7
In this chapter, the reader gains his first introduction to Long John Silver, a famous
passage in literature. Silver is initially presented with considerable economy of words
"His left leg was cut off close by the hip, and under the left shoulder he carried a
crutch . . he was very tall and strong with a face as big as a ham - plain and pale,
but intelligent and smiling. Indeed, he seemed in the most cheerful spirits, whistling
as he moved about among the tables, with a merry word or a slap on the shoulder
for the more favored of his guests." Not only is Silver himself drawn with real
conviction, but the ambiguity which is inseparable from his character is present from
the moment that we meet him. Notice, even from his personal description, he is both
"plain and pale" and "intelligent and smiling," two contradictory sets of descriptions.
Entry 8
This chapter's primary purpose within the book is to increase the suspense. Again,
Stevenson uses foreshadowing to accomplish this purpose. The basic warning in
this chapter is Smollets' apprehension about the crew and the fitness of the pirates,
that the crew is too soft, and that too many people know about the location of the
treasure. This foreshadowing creates suspense, the goal of this type of novel.
Another aspect of suspense is the ending of the chapter on a high note, making the
reader want to turn the page and begin the next chapter.

Entry 9
The symbolic nature of the pirates' nickname for Long John Silver, "Barbeque,"
deserves attention in this chapter. This name is indicative of a familiarly and personal
attachment which some of the pirates, as well learn later in the book, have
experienced. Not only does Silver's power reign on the sea (despite his handicaps),
he also successful tends to the customers and the kettle over the fire in his enterprise
on the sea. During this chapter, Israel Hands admits an uncanny reverence for the
man, something that was quite surprising. Jim's own relationship with Silver also
points to the duality of his character; he is far from the one-dimensional pirate that
the word usually conjures, but instead, a "dual character."
Entry 10
The dual personality of Long John Silver, something that has been hinted at in the
previous parts of the book, is finally revealed in this chapter. Hawkins's attitude
towards Long John Silver, becomes not one of reverence and awe, but instead,
instantly, one of repugnance, as he remarks, "I think, if I had been able, that I would
have killed him through the barrel." He feels betrayed, not only by Long John Silver's
involvement with the pirates, but also because of the betrayal of their personal
relationship between the Silver and Jim.