Chapter 32

Treasure Island

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

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.

1. Jim hears the song as “airily and sweetly.” What do the pirates hear in it that he does not?Inference

2. Silver's teeth rattle, yet he says, “I’ll not be beat by man or devil.” What keeps him on his feet?Character

3. 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

4. Dick prays over his Bible while Silver jokes that it is spoiled. Who handles the fear better?Moral reasoning

5. 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

Crossword

1	2


				3	4	5

		6


7




			8

Across

Across 1. terribly; to a frightening degree
Across 4. a hole dug in the ground
Across 6. separately; each on his own
Across 7. steep cliffs
Across 8. believing in luck, spirits and omens

Down

Down 1. dulling; lowering the spirits
Down 2. a magic spell
Down 3. lack of respect for what is feared or sacred
Down 5. easily seen; standing out
Down 6. being alone; loneliness

The words in the chapter

dreadfully I never have seen men more dreadfully affected than the pirates.
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.
damping PARTLY FROM THE DAMPING influence of this alarm,
precipices Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices.
solitude the very largeness of the view increased the sense of solitude.

irreverence growing terror at the irreverence of his words.
severally They would have run away severally had they dared;
superstitious But you can never tell what will affect the superstitious,
conspicuous It was conspicuous far to sea both on the east and west
excavation Before us was a great excavation, not very recent,

Critical thinking

1. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the pirates' talk on the plateau, before the voice, shapes their mood.

2. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the men change as they near the third tall tree.

3. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jim knows what Silver is thinking as they near the tree.