Good Vs. Evil In Treasure Island Essay -- essays research papers

Throughout many works of literature, a prominent theme has been “Good vs. Evil';. Many authors base the plot of their novels around “good guys'; fighting the “villain';.Robert Louis Stevenson contrasts good and evil through many of the characters thathe creates. In the story “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde';, Stevensoncontrasts the characters of Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde to further the theme “Good vs. Evil';. This theme is common to many of Stevenson’s other works. In TreasureIsland, Stevenson uses the character Long John Silver to bring out this identicalidea. Long John Silver in many ways can be viewed the classic villain. But, whilereading this novel, one must be aware of the many other facets of Silver’spersonality that bring out his good nature. In Treasure Island and “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde';, Robert Louis Stevenson incorporates the theme “Good vs. Evil'; in both of these stories through the split personalities of both Long John Silver, and Dr. Jekyll.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Robert Louis Stevenson’s theme of “Good vs. Evil'; is prominent in the novel Treasure Island. This story begins by introducing the protagonist of the novel Jim Hawkins. Jim works at an inn, which his mother owns. An old buccaneer is staying there by the name of Billy Bones who possesses a mysterious sea chest, which many people seem to want. While he was staying at the inn, many people attempted to steal the chest from the buccaneer. Billy Bones is a very heavy drinker, which may have been the cause of his death while staying at the inn. After the death, Jim’s curiosity for the old chest overwhelms him. Jim opens up the chest and finds to his pleasure an old treasure map. Jim immediately brings the map to Dr. Livesey, a friend of Jim’s family. Dr. Livesey and Jim decide to gather up a crew and sail to Treasure Island aboard the Hispanola to find the buried treasure. While looking for a cook, Dr. Livesey comes across a man by the name of Long John Silver. Because of Silver’s vast knowledge of the sea and his great cooking, he is named the head chef of the ship. Silver has other plans in mind though. As soon as he boards the ship, Jim sees him as a nice, intelligent man. This all quickly changes as he ove... ...ry Jekyll to an end'; (Jekyll p62).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Henry Jelkyll’s character is one full of uncanny genius, stubborn curiosity, and towards the end of the story unfortunately, despair. Hyde’s character is the complete opposite, one of malignancy and immorality. Jekyll’s genuine righteousness is exemplified by his own struggle with Mr. Hyde and eventually with his self-destruction. He realizes that Hyde will not cease his continuous onslaught of crimes, and pays the ultimate price for the well being of his friends and community. While one may say that suicide is an act of selfishness, Jekyll’s suicide must be looked upon as an honorable discharge from his life of woe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These two stories discuss the continuous battle between right and wrong which we encounter every day. Whether at work, school, or on a ship hunting for treasure, the choice between right and wrong will be made. Stevenson composed both of these pieces with that very idea in mind. The split personalities of Jekyll and Silver are fictional, but they represent the many daily temptations which all of us must resist every day of our lives.