Treasure Island – Chapters 31-34

In general:

The treasure the map leads to is made up of coins from around the world, according to Jim. In addition to their monetary value, coins have been collected for centuries because of their age, their features, and their historical importance. Minting coins has also changed significantly over the years. Here’s a video from 1940 about minting pennies and one from 2015 about making quarters. Jim’s coins probably weren’t quite so mass-produced!

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Discussion questions:

1. Jim still wonders what happened to his group. What did they know that Silver’s group didn’t, and how did this give them an advantage?

2. The men in Silver’s group get spooked by a number of superstitious coincidences: the use of a skeleton as a pointer; the fact that they have the exact number of Flint’s original group; they hear a spirit voice singing to them. What do you make of these superstitions? What superstitions do you have?

3. What did you expect Silver’s group to find at the “x” that marked the treasure’s spot?

4. When Jim’s group sails away, they leave the three alive men marooned on the island. Was this right or wrong? Would you have wanted them to do differently?

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Notes and Quotes:

• “Dead or alive, nobody minded Ben Gunn.”

(I like the irony of this statement. None of the pirates cared about Ben Gunn, yet without him, none of what happened might have been possible without him.)

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• ” The sight… made a most charming contrast to our dark and bloody sojourn on the island.”

(The group finally makes it to “civilization” and Jim realizes the horror of their trip; the worst is over.)

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• ” ‘I don’t think you and me will go to sea again. You’re too much of the born favourite for me.’ “

(Silver downplays Jim’s skills and thinking by calling him a “favorite”. Still, he must feel that luck had a lot to do with Jim’s fortunate adventure.)

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More:

After all this reading, are you ready to create your own treasure hunt? Think about who you would design one for (family, teens), and where you might want to do it (in your backyard, at the park). Then create clues, a map, even games or puzzles for the hunters to figure out where to go. Here’s a couple of resources for ideas: puzzle ideas, backyard ideas, outside ideas, indoor ideas, and a step-by-step basic plan for kids. Have fun!