Robert Louis Stevenson included and displayed many different archetypes and symbols throughout Treasure Island. His use of archetypes allow the reader to become a part of the story. Some of the archetypes that were displayed in the story include the coracle, the treasure map, and the use of rum. Each of these symbols played a major role in the understanding of the book. For instance, the coracle is the little boat that Ben Gunn made from wood and goatskin. Later in the book, Jim uses the boat to send off the Hispaniola. Robert Louis Stevenson uses the coracle to symbolize a David and Goliath situation in Jim’s adventure. It is seen as this since Jim is a child attempting to use a small boat to defeat grown men in larger boats. Another symbol …show more content…
When Jim gains possession of the map, he seems to change from an ordinary kid, to a hero and sailor. Not only did the treasure map symbolize adventure, but it also symbolizes desire and pride. In the book, everyone wants the map and will do anything in their power to have it in their possession. Later on in the book, it is revealed that the map was useless the entire time, symbolizing how pointless it is to hunt for material things. Rum was another symbol displayed in the book. In Treasure Island it is used to symbolize carelessness, brutishness, and disorderly behavior. In the story, the constant drinking of rum causes a lot of men to lose their lives. For instance, Billy, was the sailor in the beginning of the story who literally drank himself to death. Beforehand he was warned by Dr. Livesey of where his constant would lead him, but he refused to listen. Another sailor died in the book from the constant use of rum. Mr. Arrow was a sailor who was also boarded on the Hispaniola, but one night he was highly intoxicated, fell overboard the ship, and died. The use of rum made characters in the book vulnerable as well. When Jim attacked Israel Hands, it didn’t seem to be as difficult as you would think it would be for a little kid to fight a grown