Captain Blood · Chapter
VI: Plans of Escape explained
Peter Blood and Jeremy Pitt begin to plan an escape from slavery in Barbados.
What happens
Peter Blood and Jeremy Pitt begin to plan an escape from slavery in Barbados. Blood secures a promise of financial help from Dr. Whacker, who hopes to be rid of a rival. Meanwhile, Blood's interactions with Arabella Bishop are strained after a previous misunderstanding. Pitt, nearly broken by plantation life, is revived by the hope of escape, and they agree to secretly recruit other trustworthy convicts, especially those with seafaring experience.
Themes in this chapter
Rebellion and Authority
Blood and Pitt plan to escape from the oppressive authority of Colonel Bishop and the plantation system, a direct act of rebellion against their enslavement.
Class and Social Mobility
Blood, a former gentleman and physician, is reduced to slavery; his escape plan represents a bid to regain freedom and status.
Characters to notice
- Captain Peter Blood
Plans escape from slavery; meets Arabella Bishop at Government House gate and later on the wharf; receives offer of financial help from Dr. Whacker; secretly recruits Pitt for escape.
- Jeremy Pitt
Nearly broken by plantation life but revived by Blood's escape plan; agrees to secretly recruit other convicts, especially those with sea experience.
- Arabella Bishop
Meets Blood at Government House gate and later on the wharf; their conversation is strained after a previous quarrel; she brings gifts to Spanish prisoners.
- Mr. James Nuttall
Anxious about money needed for escape; searches for Blood but fails to find him; unaware of Whacker's involvement.
- Dr. Whacker
Offers to lend Blood up to thirty pounds to buy a boat for escape, hoping to be rid of a rival surgeon.
Key passages
““Escape?” he panted. “O God!” He took his head in his hands, and fell to sobbing like a child.”
Pitt is overwhelmed with emotion when Blood first mentions escape, weeping in relief and hope.
Shows the psychological impact of slavery and the power of hope.
““Who goes slowly, goes safely, as the Italians have it. And remember that if you betray yourself, you ruin all, for you are the only navigator amongst us, and without you there is no escaping.””
Blood warns Pitt to be extremely cautious in recruiting others, as Pitt's navigational skills are essential to the escape.
Highlights the need for secrecy and Pitt's crucial role.