Treasure Island · Chapter
I Go to Bristol explained
Jim Hawkins, living at the Hall under the care of old Redruth, receives a letter from Squire Trelawney detailing the purchase of the schooner Hispaniola, the hiring of Long John Silver as cook, and the assembly of a crew in Bristol.
What happens
Jim Hawkins, living at the Hall under the care of old Redruth, receives a letter from Squire Trelawney detailing the purchase of the schooner Hispaniola, the hiring of Long John Silver as cook, and the assembly of a crew in Bristol. Jim travels to Bristol with Redruth, says goodbye to his mother, and arrives to find the squire and doctor ready to sail the next day.
Themes in this chapter
Adventure and Coming of Age
Jim's sea-dreams, his excitement about the voyage, and his first tears at leaving home highlight his transition from boyhood to adventure.
Deception and Disguise
Long John Silver is presented as a sympathetic, disabled veteran, but his true nature as a cunning pirate is hinted at by his quick recruitment of a rough crew.
Characters to notice
- Jim Hawkins
Jim lives at the Hall, broods over the treasure map, reads Trelawney's letter, travels to Bristol, and is excited to sail.
- Tom Redruth
Old Redruth is the gamekeeper who guards Jim at the Hall and accompanies him to Bristol.
- Squire Trelawney
Squire Trelawney writes the letter from Bristol, has bought and fitted the Hispaniola, hired Long John Silver, and greets Jim and Redruth at the inn.
- Long John Silver
Silver is introduced in Trelawney's letter as a one-legged former sailor hired as ship's cook who helps recruit the crew.
- Doctor Livesey
Doctor Livesey is mentioned as having gone to London and later arriving in Bristol the night before Jim.
- Blandly
Blandly is Trelawney's old friend who helped procure the Hispaniola and is to send a consort if the party does not return.
Key passages
“I brooded by the hour together over the map, all the details of which I well remembered.”
Jim spent hours daydreaming about the treasure map, which he knew by heart.
Shows Jim's deep fascination with the adventure to come.
“Long John Silver he is called, and has lost a leg; but that I regarded as a recommendation, since he lost it in his country’s service, under the immortal Hawke.”
Trelawney hired Silver because he thought the lost leg proved his loyalty, having been injured serving under Admiral Hawke.
Highlights Trelawney's naivety and Silver's deceptive appearance.
“I had my first attack of tears. I am afraid I led that boy a dog’s life; for as he was new to the work, I had a hundred opportunities of setting him right and putting him down, and I was not slow to profit by them.”
Jim cried when he saw the apprentice who would replace him, and then bullied the boy out of jealousy.
Reveals Jim's mixed emotions about leaving home and his immature behavior.