Treasure Island

1. What specific tactics does the captain use to control the inn and its guests?

2. Why do you think other customers are attracted to the captain's dangerous presence instead of avoiding him?

3. What physical signs show us that Billy Bones is terrified when he sees Black Dog, and what does this tell us about their history?

4. Why does Black Dog try to befriend Jim first before revealing what he really wants? What does this teach us about how manipulative people operate?

5. Why does the captain switch between bribing Jim and threatening him when he wants rum?

6. What does the captain's fear of 'the black spot' reveal about his past choices and current situation?

7. When Jim and his mother asked the villagers for help, what reasons did people give for refusing? What does this tell us about how people behave when there's real danger?

8. Why do you think Jim's mother insisted on taking only the exact amount owed, even though they were in mortal danger and could have taken more?

9. What happens to Pew when his own men abandon him, and why do they leave him behind?

10. How does Pew's treatment of his crew throughout the search create the conditions for his own downfall?

11. What does the treasure map reveal about Billy Bones' past, and why does this discovery change everything for Jim, Dr. Livesey, and Squire Trelawney?

12. Why does Dr. Livesey express concern about Trelawney's excited planning, and what danger does he recognize that Trelawney seems to miss?

13. What mistake does Squire Trelawney make that worries Jim, and why is this problematic for their treasure hunt?

14. Why do you think Trelawney can't keep quiet about the treasure hunt, even though secrecy would be smarter?

15. What specific actions did Silver take when Black Dog appeared, and how did Jim's feelings about Silver change throughout the encounter?