A moment afterwards he had entered the block house and with one grim nod to me proceeded with his work among the sick.stern and unsmiling
Treasure Island
Chapter 30
Robert Louis Stevenson · Trailblazers 4th–6th
Copywork
A moment afterwards he had entered the block house and with one grim nod to me proceeded with his work among the sick. He seemed under no apprehension, though he must have known that his life, among these treacherous demons, depended on a hair; and he rattled on to his patients as if he were paying an ordinary professional visit in a quiet English family.
The doctor gives Jim "one grim nod" and then treats the pirates as if on "an ordinary professional visit". What does the nod say that words would not, and why might a man whose life "depended on a hair" choose to behave as if it did not?
Discussion
Narration Tell back the morning in order, from the doctor's hail to his walk back into the wood.
- Silver asks Jim for “your word of honour as a young gentleman” not to slip his cable. Why might Silver ask for a promise instead of guarding him? Inference
- The doctor first says it was “downright cowardly” to leave, then says, “Whip over, and we’ll run for it.” What makes his voice change? Character
- The doctor visits the mutineers as if on “an ordinary professional visit,” and they take his medicine “more like charity schoolchildren.” Why do they go along with it? Tone
- Jim tells the doctor, “you know right well you wouldn’t do the thing yourself.” Is Jim right about the doctor, the squire and the captain? Moral reasoning
- Out by the stockade, Silver's cheeks seem “fallen in” and his voice trembles. Why might the author show Jim this when Silver's back is to his crew? Author's choice
Make a Connection Tell about a time you kept a promise that was hard to keep, in a story or in life.
Vocabulary
- grim
- professional
as if he were paying an ordinary professional visit in a quiet English family.
belonging to one's trade or calling- admixture
Although I was glad to hear the sound, yet my gladness was not without admixture.
something added that changes the mix- alteration
Dr. Livesey was by this time across the stockade and pretty near the cook, and I could hear the alteration in his voice as he said, Not Jim?
a change- volubility
silenced by his volubility rather than convinced.
a ready flood of talk- disarray
leaving them in a disarray,
confusion; disorder- deliberately
Very deliberately, then, did we advance across the sand to where the doctor awaited us
slowly and on purpose- earnest
his voice trembled; never was a soul more dead in earnest.
serious and sincere
Critical thinking
- Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the doctor manages the mutineers during his visit.
- Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Silver quiets his crew after the doctor leaves the block house.
- Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the doctor takes the news of the Hispaniola.