Jim is first charmed by the old sea dog because of his vitality, his colorful talk, and the interest he takes in the boy. And despite everything he has done, because Jim secretly admires Silver, the boy cannot completely condemn the pirate when Silver gets away at the end of the book. Jim admires Silver because they are so much alike. Jim's father dies early in the book, and, in a fashion, Silver takes his place. Jim is a hero from first to last, but he is so by being as strongwilled and as duplicitous as Silver.
Treasure Island is a sea dream.
When Jim Hawkins sets sail from England, he leaves behind a land of gloom and oppressive laws. Like Maurice Sendak's Max, he sails to that Other World of freedom and excitement where nothing can hamper the truly rugged individual. It is an inviting dream, captured in Stevenson's book, which still appeals to boys and girls of any age. The continuing large enrollments in English 306A and 306W speak to the success of these Liberal Studies classes housed in the English Department. We appreciate the recognition by the university of the excellence of our children's literature courses, and thank Deans Scott and Strand for providing the English Department with this new position.