Which character is the leader of the pirates in Robert Louis Stevenson’s adventure novel Treasure Island?
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In Robert Louis Stevenson’s adventure novel Treasure Island, published in 1883, the pirate leader is none other than the famous Long John Silver. This emblematic character of English literature has left his mark on the collective imagination through his complexity, charisma and moral ambivalence. More than just a pirate, Long John Silver became a true icon of the genre, subsequently inspiring numerous adaptations and incarnations of the buccaneer in popular culture.
Long John Silver is introduced in the novel as the cook on the ship Hispaniola, engaged in the expedition that is supposed to lead to the discovery of buried treasure on a mysterious island. From the moment he appears, he intrigues the young narrator, Jim Hawkins, with his affable manner, humor and quick wit.
But behind this façade of bonhomie lies a cunning and manipulative former buccaneer, secretly leading a band of pirates who have infiltrated the crew. He once served under Captain Flint, the legendary pirate whose treasure is the object of the novel’s quest.
Silver is a formidable strategist, a skilled liar and a man capable of turning situations to his advantage. He is the epitome of the intelligent bandit, more dangerous than brutal. He’s also recognizable by his wooden ham, since he’s a leg amputee, and his parrot, Captain Flint, who shouts typical pirate phrases, adding to the myth.
What makes Long John Silver so memorable is that he’s not a one-dimensional character. He is both cruel and endearing, ruthless yet loyal to those he holds in esteem. He is capable of betrayal, but also of a certain kind of genuine affection for Jim Hawkins, whom he repeatedly protects.
Unlike the other members of his crew, he does not allow himself to be drawn into brutality or gratuitous stupidity. He stands out for his lucidity and his ability to adapt his alliances as the situation evolves.
This moral ambivalence makes Long John Silver a profoundly human character, and has contributed to his posterity in literature and film. He is the typical pirate, both fearsome and fascinating, always ready to emerge victorious, even if it means abandoning his former accomplices to save the day.
Since his creation by Stevenson, Long John Silver has become one of the most famous pirate characters in world literature. He has inspired countless stage, film, TV and animated adaptations.
Actors such as Wallace Beery, Robert Newton (in the 1950 version) and Tim Curry (in the Muppets version) have lent their features to him, each bringing their own interpretation of the charismatic pirate with the wooden leg.
His name has also become a reference in popular culture, so much so that it’s used in video games, comic strips and even in the names of seafood restaurant chains.
In Treasure Island, the pirate leader is Long John Silver, a cunning, dangerous and captivating central character. He embodies the archetypal two-faced pirate: traitor and friend, brutal and clever, charming and manipulative. His charisma and complexity take him beyond Stevenson’s novel to become a timeless figure in adventure literature and the collective imagination of piracy.
literature
Which character is the leader of the pirates in Robert Louis Stevenson's adventure novel Treasure Island?
Answer
In Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, the pirates' leader is Long John Silver, a cunning and fearsome cook with a buccaneering past.