Study Guide: Treasure Island — “Powder and Arms”

Themes / Big Ideas

Leadership, authority, and discipline: Captain Smollett insists on order and clear chains of command (“no favourites”), reflecting the novel’s broader tension between order and chaos at sea.
Secrecy vs. loose talk: The danger of blabbing about the treasure map underscores how secrecy is survival currency in the book; Trelawney’s indiscretion invites peril.
Foreshadowing of mutiny and betrayal: Smollett’s precautions (arming the stern, rearranging berths) hint at the crew’s unreliability and the mutiny to come—central to the novel’s conflict.
Appearances vs. reality: Livesey’s confidence in Silver and Smollett’s misjudged “pessimism” show how charm deceives and caution proves wise—key to the novel’s moral ambiguity.
Duty over pride: Smollett’s commitment to duty (“I am responsible…”) contrasts with Trelawney’s offended pride, echoing the book’s respect for sober responsibility.
Social order aboard ship: The critique of Mr. Arrow’s being “too free with the crew” highlights boundaries between officers and hands—part of the maritime hierarchy the novel explores.
Coming-of-age perspective: Jim’s early dislike of Smollett reveals his youthful bias; learning to read character accurately is part of his growth throughout the story.
Greed and risk: “Treasure is ticklish work”—the lure of wealth drives the voyage but endangers everyone, aligning with the book’s exploration of the costs of greed.

Word	Part of Speech	Definition
figurehead	noun	A carved wooden figure fixed at the bow (front) of a ship as decoration.
stern	noun	The rear part of a ship.
mate	noun	A deck officer ranking below the captain (e.g., first mate).
sealed orders	noun phrase	Secret written instructions to be opened at sea.
before the mast	idiom	Among the ordinary sailors; living/working in the forward part of the ship.
blabbed (to blab)	verb	To reveal secret information carelessly.
hands	noun (plural)	Sailors; crew members on a ship.
fore hold	noun phrase	The forward cargo compartment of a ship.
berth	noun	A bunk or sleeping place on a ship (also, a ship’s docking space).
forecastle (fo’c’s’le)	noun	The forward part of a ship used as crew quarters.
galley	noun	The ship’s kitchen.
companionway (companion)	noun	The covered entrance and stairs/hatch leading below deck.
roundhouse	noun	A small deckhouse or cabin on a ship.
swivel (gun)	noun	A small, pivot-mounted cannon that can swivel to aim.
long nine	noun	A long-barreled cannon firing a nine-pound shot; valued for range.
mutiny	noun	A rebellion against lawful authority on a ship.
garrison (to garrison)	verb	To station people to defend a position (e.g., the stern of the ship).
forelock	noun	The lock of hair above the forehead; touching it is a sign of respect/salute.

“I don’t like this cruise; I don’t like the men; and I don’t like my officer. That’s short and sweet.”
“Now, treasure is ticklish work; I don’t like treasure voyages on any account, and I don’t like them, above all, when they are secret and when (begging your pardon, Mr. Trelawney) the secret has been told to the parrot.”
“Life or death, and a close run.”
“I am responsible for the ship’s safety and the life of every man Jack aboard of her.”
“You wish us to keep this matter dark and to make a garrison of the stern part of the ship… In other words, you fear a mutiny.”
“Sir, with no intention to take offence, I deny your right to put words into my mouth.”
“There’s been too much blabbing already.”
“Trelawney… contrary to all my notions, I believed you have managed to get two honest men on board with you—that man and John Silver.”
“The cook came up the side like a monkey for cleverness.”
“My orders!”
“I’ll have no favourites on my ship.”
“I assure you I was quite of the squire’s way of thinking, and hated the captain deeply.”