Chapter 32 · Treasure Island

Copywork

I never have seen men more dreadfully affected than the pirates. The colour went from their six faces like enchantment; some leaped to their feet, some clawed hold of others; Morgan grovelled on the ground.

The colour goes from six faces "like enchantment", and Jim says he never saw men "more dreadfully affected". Which single detail in the second sentence tells you most about how afraid they are, and why does Jim count the faces?

Discussion

Narration Tell back the climb in order, from the rest on the plateau to the empty pit.

Jim hears the song as “airily and sweetly.” What do the pirates hear in it that he does not? Inference
Silver's teeth rattle, yet he says, “I’ll not be beat by man or devil.” What keeps him on his feet? Character
Silver says a spirit would not have an echo. Jim calls it a weak argument, yet Merry is relieved. Why might he grab at it? Inference
Dick prays over his Bible while Silver jokes that it is spoiled. Who handles the fear better? Moral reasoning
The chapter ends on an empty pit, right after the men have run past their fear for the gold. Why might the author put them together? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you went on with a hard job even though something was frightening you.

Vocabulary

dreadfully: I never have seen men more dreadfully affected than the pirates. terribly; to a frightening degree
enchantment: The colour went from their six faces like enchantment; some leaped to their feet, some clawed hold of others; Morgan grovelled on the ground. a magic spell
damping: PARTLY FROM THE DAMPING influence of this alarm, dulling; lowering the spirits
precipices: Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices. steep cliffs
solitude: the very largeness of the view increased the sense of solitude. being alone; loneliness
irreverence: growing terror at the irreverence of his words. lack of respect for what is feared or sacred
severally: They would have run away severally had they dared; separately; each on his own
superstitious: But you can never tell what will affect the superstitious, believing in luck, spirits and omens
conspicuous: It was conspicuous far to sea both on the east and west easily seen; standing out
excavation: Before us was a great excavation, not very recent, a hole dug in the ground

Critical thinking

Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the pirates' talk on the plateau, before the voice, shapes their mood.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the men change as they near the third tall tree.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jim knows what Silver is thinking as they near the tree.