Captain Blood · Chapter
XX: Thief and Pirate explained
Captain Blood broods alone on his ship after Arabella Bishop calls him a thief and pirate, grappling with the conflict between his love for her and the bitterness her words have awakened.
What happens
Captain Blood broods alone on his ship after Arabella Bishop calls him a thief and pirate, grappling with the conflict between his love for her and the bitterness her words have awakened. Meanwhile, Lord Julian Wade observes the tension and questions Miss Bishop about her past with Blood, learning of his rescue of Mademoiselle d'Ogeron and his decision to alter course to return them to Jamaica.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Identity
Blood is tormented by Arabella's branding him 'thief and pirate,' forcing him to confront his self-image and the moral compromises of his buccaneer life.
Love and Redemption
Blood's love for Arabella has shaped his conduct as a leader, but her scorn now threatens to turn his love into hate and abandon his ideals.
Rebellion and Authority
Blood's internal rebellion against his own romantic ideals and his struggle with the authority of Arabella's judgment reflect the broader theme of defiance.
Characters to notice
- Captain Peter Blood
Paces the poop deck alone, tormented by Arabella's epithets 'thief and pirate,' and struggles between love and hate.
- Arabella Bishop
Questions Jeremy Pitt about Blood's past, including the death of Levasseur and his relationship with Mademoiselle d'Ogeron, showing a probing interest.
- Lord Julian Wade
Observes the interactions between Blood and Arabella, suspects a deeper history, and probes Miss Bishop for information.
- Jeremy Pitt
Answers Arabella's questions about Blood's escape from Barbados and the killing of Levasseur, and informs her of Blood's plan to return them to Jamaica.
- Wolverstone
Mentioned as Blood's lieutenant, present at dinner with Lord Julian and Miss Bishop.
Key passages
“Thief and pirate! That was what she deemed him, without qualification, oblivious of the deep wrongs he had suffered, the desperate case in which he found himself after his escape from Barbados, and all the rest that had gone to make him what he was.”
Arabella judged Blood solely as a thief and pirate, ignoring the injustices he had endured and the circumstances that drove him to buccaneering.
Highlights Blood's anguish over being condemned without understanding his past.
“He would cast out the maudlin ideals by which he had sought to steer a course; put an end to this idiotic struggle to make the best of two worlds. She had shown him clearly to which world he belonged. Let him now justify her.”
Blood resolves to abandon his romantic ideals and fully embrace the pirate identity Arabella has assigned him, deciding to prove her right.
Marks a turning point in Blood's character as he contemplates embracing his darker nature.
“Maybe it'll comfort you to know that the Captain has altered our course for your benefit. It's his intention to put you both ashore on the coast of Jamaica, as near Port Royal as we dare venture.”
Jeremy Pitt informs Arabella that Captain Blood has changed the ship's course to take her and Lord Julian safely to Jamaica.
Shows Blood's continued care for Arabella despite her harsh words.