How Did Long John Silver Change Throughout The Novel

The Analysis of Long John Silver’s Changes

Change can be positive or negative. It is a result due to one or multiple actions. Readers see this throughout Treasure Island. Robert Lois Stevenson shows this in the character Long John Silver, who is changed because of the forces treasure, what people thought of him, and his captain.

His captain was one of the three main forces that caused Long John Silver to change. Long John wanted to go a different way than his captain and. He wanted the treasure faster and did not agree with the captain’s tactics. A handful of other men had similar feelings. “Here’s what I want to know Barbecue: how long are we a-going to stand off and on like a blessed humboat? I’ve had enough o’ Cap’n Smollet; he’s hazed

Long John changed by first wanting to not kill Jim Hawkins, then wanting to kill Jim Hawkins, then wanting to not kill Jim Hawkins, and for Jim Hawkins to help him. Long John kept changing back and forth because his chances of living were either low or high. The last switch that Long John did was that he wanted Jim Hawkins to help him because his crew that helped him cause the mutiny were starting to turn against him. “Now look here Jim Hawkins, he said in a steady whisper that was no more than audible…But you mark I stand by you through thick and thin…I says to myself: You stand by Hawkins, John and Hawkins’ll stand by you.” (Stevenson 159 Chapter 28) “So you’ve changed sides again….”Two guineas!” Roared Merry shaking it at Silver That’s your seven hundred pounds is it?...you wooden headed lumber!” (Stevenson 185 Chapter

It was another force that caused him to cause a mutiny, change sides with Jim Hawkins, but also go from cheerful to violent and greedy. The second and third paragraphs have quotes that explain how Long John caused a mutiny and changed sides with Jim Hawkins. Long John was tired of waiting to get the treasure and when there was not as much treasure as Long John Silver said there was going to be, that caused a negative effect of what people thought of him. So that was another reason for the mutiny and him to change sides. Long John also went from cheerful, intelligent, and brave to greedy, violent, and only caring about treasure. “plain and pale, but intelligent and smiling….from this clean and pleasant tempered landlord.” (Stevenson 43 Chapter 8) “from time to time, turned his eyes upon me with a deadly look…In the immediate nearness of the gold, all else had been forgotten; his promise and the doctor’s warning were both things of the past; and I could no doubt that he hoped to seize upon the treasure, find and board the Hispaniola under cover of night, cut every honest throat…laden with crimes and riches.” (Stevenson 183 Chapter 32) The treasure caused John to change because he wanted to be wealthy and live an easy life. Hence “that whole lifetime of extravagance and pleasure, that lay waiting for them.” (Stevenson 183 Chapter