Jim Hawkins’ Development in Treasure Island
Jim Hawkins’ development in Treasure Island Treasure Island by Robert Stevenson is an adventure story about a young man, Jim Hawkins, and his journey as he searches for treasure with pirates. Although only a child, Jim Hawkins matures and shows many signs of independency due to his experiences with pirates at sea throughout the novel. The first half of the novel demonstrates Jim’s reliance on the people around him, and what provokes him into maturing; the second half of the novel begins to show his transition to becoming a smart, mature man. The following essay will focus on the transformation Jim Hawkins under goes from being a child, to becoming a young man. In the first half of the novel, it is clear that Jim is terrified by the events that occur and shows signs of weakness. One clear example of this is the moment the book begins, and Stevenson introduces Billy Bones. Jim’s frightened childlike character is evident in this passage: “How the personage haunted my dreams, I need to scarcely tell you. One stormy nights, when the wind shook the four corners of the house, and the surf roared along the cove and up the cliffs, I would see him in a thousand forms, and with a thousand diabolical expressions.” (6). This passage shows the nightmares Jim had of Billy Bones. Jim demonstrates himself as being a very disturbed cowardly character. Stevenson demonstrates the maturity beginning in Jim’s character when both his father and Billy Bones death. At this point in the novel, Jim experiences a traumatizing experience, especially for a young boy at Jim’s age. His feelings are seen here: “It was the second death I had known, and the sorrow of the first was still fresh in my heart” (29). When Jim states “the sorrow of the first” he of course means his fathers sudden death. This sparks a sense of maturity and so begins his development as a young man relating very well to Stevenson’s theme of coming of age. At this point in the novel, Jim is forced to make decisions for