Jim Hawkins Character Traits

Accustomed to taking orders, being treated like a helpless child, and not thinking for himself, Jim Hawkins is the son of two innkeepers at the Admiral Benbow and the unlikely boy hero in Treasure Island. When adventure is thrown Jim’s way, he must brainstorm, be resourceful, and make his own decisions in order to survive. When his father suddenly passes away, Jim learns maturity by observing the father figures in his new world; he is able to decide which characteristics to retain from each of these men to create his own character. He learns what is morally correct, what risks to accept, and what precautions to take on his three-part journey towards, ashore, and departing from Treasure Island. Through the progression of his adventure, Jim begins
Jim and Israel Hands’ conflict while aboard the Hispaniola reflects the beginning of Jim’s maturity into adulthood, but also demonstrates the childhood innocence he maintains. Jim acts with adult-like confidence, commanding Hands to “regard [him] as [his] captain” (131). Jim also recognizes that Hands is deceptive, similarly to Silver, and takes an extra precaution to observe Hands on deck; a significant difference between the childish, overly trusting actions of Jim at the Admiral Benbow. By confirming suspicions of Hands’ behaviour, Jim was prepared with an advantage against Hands, allowing him to escape harm. Jim’s innocence is apparent by comparing the intended violence of Hands versus the unconscious violence demonstrated by Jim. His statement regarding the shooting as against “[his] own volition” (139), strengthens the idea that childlike innocence still exists within him. Hands assisted in forging an adult in Jim, though not as a father figure, but as someone who accepts the subordinate role Jim has always played; this allows Jim to experience leadership and offers a stark contrast between Hands’ immoral actions and Jim’s untainted