Similarities Between Robert Louis Stevenson And Jim Hawkins From His Book Treasure Island
It is common for authors to connect their personal life to the characters in their novels. At first glance the characters in Robert Louis Stevenson’s book Treasure Island live extremely different lifestyles compared to R. L. Stevenson, who had never even traveled to the location of the story and had never taken part in stealing treasure. Stevenson and Jim Hawkins have similar core values and they merit thorough investigation.
Jim Hawkins lives at the seaside with his family. His parents own an inn called “Admiral Benbow”. After Jim’s Father passes away, He has to help his mother run the inn. Jim doesn't have an excellent education, But this does not deter him. He is a skilled and capable boy who won't give up. He has enough courage to take on Billy Bones at the inn and conquer the seven seas. This novel is told by Jim Hawkins and everything is from his personal perspective of life. Jim’s views are most likely based off of Robert Louis Stevenson’s life and experiences, considering Hawkins has many features and traits similar to Stevenson. Though he relies on others for help, he is never afraid to try something new; Moreover, he is accompanied by, or rather he accompanies, Dr. Livesey, playing Jim's father figure, and Squire Trelawney, the “leader”. Despite Jim uncovering the secrets of the sea, and not his wise, owl like companions. Jim seems to be proficient in detail in his storytelling. The meticulousness used to explain the scenery is enthralling to say the least. It is almost as if you are there with Hawkins as he is describing the outlook of the land. He doesn't spare an ounce of detail when recalling the tides and sounds so easily seen and heard through immense imagery. R. L. Stevenson, never having visited the West Indies, does an incredible job of describing the setting of the novel. For the details of the scenery he relied on the time he spent with his father at the seaside as a child and on the knowledge he gained during his training as a lighthouse engineer.
Robert Louis Stevenson's father intended for him to go to work with him at the lighthouse. Robert Louis agreed, even though it had nothing to do with engineering. He only enjoyed visiting when he got to see the lights. This is where his knowledge of the sea and waves comes from, as seen in Jim’s dialogue. While in college for engineering, Robert Louis began to revolt against his elders, befriending rotten crooks and scheming thieves. Considering there isn't much evidence of the exact people he was associated with, we can assume Robert Louis’s real friends were the pre-stretched canvases for Jims unusual pirate companions.
R. L. Stevenson seems to have created a “clone” of himself in the story Treasure Island. His imagery and character development is pristine and is worthy of hours of research. Jim Hawkins outlook on life and core values seem to resemble those of Stevenson. R. L. Stevenson’s knowledge of the seas and tides, as well as Jim’s pirate friends who appear be based off of Stevenson’s rebellious friends in the rebellious years of his life. Jim Hawkins may very well be the pirate version of Stevenson he always fantasized about being.
