ABSTRACT
Treasure Island is a quest story with a circular structure: beginning at home, moving away and ultimately returning home. The story has three narrative sections distinguished by setting:
The action at the ‘Admiral Benbow’ serves to set the quest in motion. In the exposition, normality of life at the inn is broken by the arrival of Billy Bones, followed by the pirates, Black Dog and Blind Pew. This section ends with the discovery and identification of the treasure map. Squire Trelawney, Doctor Livesey and Jim Hawkins leave behind their old roles as they prepare for new ones in the quest for Treasure Island.
Aboard the Hispaniola the mood is that of a romantic adventure; it is characterised by optimism and anticipation. Jim eagerly anticipates the voyage and arrival at the island: ‘I might have been twice as weary, yet I would not have left the deck; all was so new and interesting to me — the brief commands, the shrill note of the whistle, the men bustling to their places in the glimmer of the ship's lanterns’ (p. 81). There is a brief warning of treachery that is to come (p. 87) and Captain Smollett provides a cautionary note, but Jim and the rest of the crew are in good spirits.
As the Hispaniola nears her destination, the mood changes. The pivotal moment occurs when Jim overhears the mutineers’ plot while he is hidden in the apple barrel. The island is a savage place and Jim's description of his first impressions show that it is not what he had expected (see Photocopiable sheet 7.1 (p. 69)).
In addition, a short narrative frame is constructed around the story. The book ends, as it begins, as a recollection. In the first paragraph Jim explains how he has been asked to write down the adventure. The closing paragraphs provide some reflection and evaluation of character.
