Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson that tells the story of pirates, treasure maps, and mutiny. Published as a novel in 1883, the story was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881 and 1882, credited to the pseudonym "Captain George North.” Known for its atmosphere, characters, and action, Treasure Island introduced elements now standard in pirate tales, such as maps marked with an "X" and one-legged buccaneers sporting parrots on their shoulders. It is also recognized as a coming-of-age story.
The story begins at the Admiral Benbow Inn on England's Bristol Channel. There, young Jim Hawkins and his parents encounter an old sailor, who is later revealed to be Billy Bones, former first mate of the famed pirate Captain Flint. He possesses a map to the island where Flint buried his treasure. After Bones's death, Jim finds the map and takes it to Dr. Livesey and Squire John Trelawney, who organize an expedition to find the treasure. Together with a crew, Jim joins the sinister Long John Silver on an expedition to an uncharted island in search of Flint's treasures. However, it soon becomes apparent that many of the crew members are former pirates under Silver's command, plotting a mutiny against the legitimate sailors.
Upon arriving at the island, Silver's men quickly turn against the loyal crew, forcing Jim, the noble Dr. Livesey, and the courageous Squire Trelawney to seek refuge in an abandoned stockade. A fierce battle ensues between the two factions, with casualties on both sides. Jim, caught in the midst of the conflict, encounters the eccentric Ben Gunn, a marooned pirate who has been living on the island for years. As the story reaches its climax, the treasure's location is finally revealed, but the treacherous Silver and his men attempt to seize it for themselves, leading to a dramatic confrontation.
Treasure Island has left a significant imprint on popular culture, influencing the perception of pirates and adventure tales. The novel's depiction of pirates has become the standard for other works in the genre. Its influence extends to various media, including numerous film and television adaptations. Blending adventure with moral lessons, Stevenson's novel continues to captivate audiences worldwide and inspire storytellers.
Themes
Coming-of-age
Adventure and exploration
Good vs. evil
Fortune and greed
Loyalty and betrayal
Morality and integrity
Friendship and trust
Heroism and courage
Deception and identity
Survival and resourcefulness
Setting
Treasure Island is set in the early 18th century, during the golden age of piracy. The story primarily takes place on an uncharted island in the West Indies region of the Caribbean Sea, where the famous pirate Captain Flint buried his treasure.
The beginning of the story, however, is set in the coastal village of Black Hill Cove in southwest England, near the Bristol Channel. Here, the young protagonist Jim Hawkins resides with his mother at the Admiral Benbow Inn, which is situated in a rural area, necessitating travel to the port city of Bristol. It is in this quaint English inn that the adventure begins when an old seafarer named Billy Bones arrives, setting in motion the events that lead to the quest for Flint's treasure.
While specific places within the larger Caribbean region are not explicitly mentioned, the isolated island where the majority of the action unfolds is described in vivid detail—from its secluded anchorages and treacherous reefs to the dense jungles, rocky hills, and sandy beaches that make up its untamed landscape. This uncharted island, with its hidden treasure and history of piracy, becomes the central and most prominent setting in Robert Louis Stevenson's iconic adventure tale.
Characters
Jim Hawkins: The narrator of most of the novel. Jim is the son of an innkeeper near Bristol, England, and is eager to go to sea and hunt for treasure.
Long John Silver: The one-legged cook aboard the Hispaniola and the secret leader of the pirates. Though deceitful and greedy, he shows fondness towards Jim.
Dr. David Livesey: A doctor and magistrate who narrates a few chapters of the novel. He is rational, fair-minded, and exhibits common sense.
Captain Smollett: The captain of the Hispaniola, who is highly professional and suspicious of the crew Trelawney hires.
Squire John Trelawney: A wealthy landowner who arranges the voyage. He is duped by Silver into hiring pirates as the ship's crew.
Billy Bones: An old seaman who used to be Flint's first mate and resides at the Admiral Benbow Inn. His possession of a treasure map sets the novel's events into motion.
Ben Gunn: A former member of Flint's crew who was marooned on Treasure Island. He is partial to cheese and helps Jim and his friends.
Blind Pew: A blind beggar and former member of Flint's crew, who delivers the black spot to Billy Bones and is later trampled to death.
Israel Hands: The ship's coxswain and Flint's old gunner, who tries to murder Jim Hawkins but is ultimately shot dead by Jim in self-defense.
Mr. Arrow: The first mate of the Hispaniola who disappears early on, implied to have fallen overboard due to drunkenness caused by Silver.
Black Dog: Formerly a member of Flint's pirate crew, later one of Pew's companions who confronts Billy Bones at the Admiral Benbow Inn.
Tom Redruth: The gamekeeper of Squire Trelawney, who accompanies the squire to the island but is shot and mortally wounded by the mutineers.
George Merry: A mutinous and hostile member of Silver's crew who challenges Silver's authority and is later killed at the empty cache.
Abraham Gray: A ship's carpenter's mate who remains loyal to the Squire's side and proves crucial in various conflicts on the island.
Critical reception
Combining a coming-of-age story with swashbuckling adventure, Treasure Island has become a fxture of pirate folklore and popular culture. Now iconic, Robert Louis Stevenson's novel was well-received upon its 1883 publication and acclaimed by critics over the centuries. G. K. Chesterton, the esteemed English author and literary critic, described Treasure Island as "the realization of an ideal, that which is promised in its provocative and beckoning map; a vision not only of white skeletons but also green palm trees and sapphire seas." The Scottish poet and literary scholar G. S. Fraser deemed it "an utterly original book," and went on to write: "There will always be a place for stories like Treasure Island that can keep boys and old men happy."
FAQs
What is the basic plot of Treasure Island?
Treasure Island follows young Jim Hawkins, who obtains a treasure map and embarks on a journey to find the buried fortune of the notorious pirate Captain Flint. Jim joins a crew led by the sinister Long John Silver as they set sail for the treasure island, where they encounter mutiny, treachery, and adventure.
Who are the main characters in the novel?
The main characters include Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver (the ship's cook and leader of the mutinous pirates), Dr. Livesey, Squire Trelawney, Captain Smollett, Ben Gunn (a marooned former pirate), and the pirate leaders Billy Bones and Pew.
What inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write Treasure Island?
Stevenson was inspired by a map of an imaginary island that he drew with his stepson, which sparked his idea for a pirate adventure story. He also drew inspiration from classic pirate tales and novels he had enjoyed as a youth.
How hasTreasure Island influenced popular culture?
Treasure Island has had a significant influence on how pirates are depicted in books, movies, and popular culture. The novel is credited with establishing tropes like treasure maps where an "X" marks the spot, one-legged seamen with pet parrots, and deserted tropical islands.
What themes are explored in the novel?
Major themes include coming-of-age, good versus evil, greed and morality, courage and heroism, and the romanticized appeal of pirate life and adventure on the high seas.
How has the novel been adapted into other media?
Treasure Island has been adapted numerous times into films, TV shows, stage productions, comic books, and video games. Some of the most notable adaptations include the 1950 Disney film starring Bobby Driscoll and the 1996 movie Muppet Treasure Island, featuring Tim Curry as Long John Silver.
What made the character of Long John Silver so memorable?
Long John Silver is one of literature's most famous romanticized pirate villains. He is cunning, charismatic, and morally ambiguous, making him a complex and compelling character that has resonated with readers for generations.
How has Treasure Island been analyzed and interpreted by scholars?
Scholars have analyzed the novel's literary merits, its role in establishing genre tropes, its potential allegorical meanings, its social commentary on morality and greed, and Stevenson's use of irony and ambiguity in his portrayal of characters.
What real historical pirate figures and events influenced the novel?
Stevenson incorporated elements from the real-life pirates Edward England, Bartholomew Roberts, and William Kidd, as well as pirate histories like A General History of the Pyrates. The novel's buried treasure was also inspired by tales of pirate loot buried on islands.
How has the novel sparked sequels, prequels, and other related works?
Treasure Island's enduring popularity has led to numerous sequels, prequels, and spin-offs over the decades by various authors expanding on Stevenson's characters and storylines, keeping the pirate adventure alive across generations.
Quotes
"Sir, with no intention to take offence, I deny your right to put words into my mouth."
"Fifteen men on the Dead Man's Chest, Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil had done for the rest, Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"
"Many's the long night I've dreamed of cheese—toasted mostly."
"Seaward ho! Hang the treasure! It's the glory of the sea that has turned my head."
"Dead men don't bite."
"We must go on, because we can't turn back."
"This grove, that was now so peaceful, must then have rung with cries, I thought; and even with the thought I could believe I heard it ringing still."
Quick facts
The famous "Treasure Island" map, which plays a critical role in the story, was created by Stevenson himself, inspired during a holiday in Scotland with his stepson. This map has gone on to inspire countless treasure maps in popular culture.
The character of Long John Silver was partly inspired by Stevenson's friend and poet, William Ernest Henley, who himself had a wooden leg.
Before settling on the title of Treasure Island, Stevenson referred to the work as "The Sea Cook." This reflects the significant role of Long John Silver, who was the ship's cook before revealing himself as the leader of the mutineers.
Stevenson's decision to switch the narrative to the point of view of Jim Hawkins was influenced by his reading of Washington Irving's "Tales of a Traveler," specifically the "Money-Diggers" series which narrates from the perspective of an innkeeper's adventures with treasure seekers.
Elements from "Treasure Island", such as treasure maps marked with an "X", one-legged seamen, and tropical islands, have become standard in the portrayal of pirates in popular culture.
Several real-life pirates are mentioned within the novel, including Blackbeard, William Kidd, and Bartholomew Roberts, indicating Stevenson's interest in and research on historical piracy for authenticity.
Stevenson's health was failing as he completed "Treasure Island", compelling him to move to warmer climates. He eventually settled in Samoa, where he spent the remainder of his life.
"Treasure Island" has never been out of print since its initial publication in 1883, testament to its timeless appeal and the foundation it laid for the adventure genre.
About the author
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer renowned for his contributions to English literature. Noted for his imaginative and engaging storytelling, Stevenson authored several classic works, including Treasure Island, A Child's Garden of Verses, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Born and educated in Edinburgh, Scotland, Stevenson battled chronic health issues throughout his life but continued to write prolifically and travel extensively. His literary talents were acknowledged by his contemporaries, and he received praise from notable authors such as Jorge Luis Borges, Ernest Hemingway, Rudyard Kipling, and Vladimir Nabokov.
Despite the initial criticism from modernist writers who dismissed his works due to their popularity and Stevenson's adherence to traditional literary forms, recent criticism has recognized Stevenson's significant contribution to the Western literary canon. His influence on English literature, particularly in the adventure and horror genres, remains profound, and his works continue to be celebrated for their storytelling and character construction.
Stevenson's early life was marked by his familial connections to prominent engineers, but he eschewed this career path in favor of literature. He traveled widely, partly in search of better health and partly for adventure, experiences that deeply influenced his writing. In 1890, Stevenson settled in Samoa, embracing the culture and becoming deeply involved in local politics, advocating for Samoan rights against European colonial powers. Stevenson died in Samoa in 1894, leaving behind a rich legacy of literary works that have captured the imaginations of readers around the globe.
Since his death, Stevenson's reputation has undergone various reassessments, but today he is recognized as a master storyteller whose works transcend genre boundaries and continue to enchant readers with their humanity, adventure, and exploration of the complexities of good and evil. Not only has his literature found a permanent place in the canon, but Stevenson himself has been ranked as the 26th-most translated author in the world, underscoring his enduring global appeal and the universal themes woven into his stories.
