Captain Alexander Smollett

Last updated
Captain Alexander Smollett
Treasure Island character
TI-Smollett (restored).jpg
Captain Smollet Defies the Mutineers illustration by N. C. Wyeth for 1911 edition.
Created by Robert Louis Stevenson
In-universe information
Species Human
Gender Male
Title Captain
Occupation Sea captain
Nationality English

Captain Alexander Smollett is the fictional captain of the schooner Hispaniola in Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island . He plays an important part in disciplining the main characters on the ship as the story progresses, and helps the protagonists survive against the pirates later on.

Contents

In the novel

He first appears to the reader as a strict, bitter man who finds fault with everything and is never satisfied. [1] However, he quickly reveals that not all is well aboard the ship, and his first conversation with Jim Hawkins, Dr. Livesey, and Squire Trelawney foreshadows the eventual mutiny of many of the Hispaniola's members under the leadership of Long John Silver, a cunning and wealthy one-legged pirate. When the Hispaniola finally reaches its destination and the pirates rebel, he organizes the faithful crew's flight from the Hispaniola onto the shores of the island and helps in gaining a stockade. The next day, he attempts to negotiate with "Captain" Long John Silver, but the negotiations fail due to the arrogance of Silver and the stubbornness of Smollett. (Indeed, Smollett admits [2] that he has goaded Silver on purpose, reasoning that battle is probably inevitable and might as well be fought sooner rather than later, while they are alert and fresh.) As a result, Silver storms off in a rage, and Smollett is left to organize the defence of the stockade. In the battle of the stockade, he is seriously wounded by two bullets, though neither incapacitates him, and he disappears from the story for the most part. In the end, he and the faithful crew sail back to Bristol laden with treasure, and he retires from seafaring.

Captain Smollett's role in the story is crucial, but he is usually remembered for his temperamental personality. He is obsessed with duty and expects all his orders to be followed to the letter. [3] When the stockade's defences break down during his negotiations with Silver, he explodes, venting his rage on the Doctor and Squire Trelawney for abandoning their stations to watch the negotiations. [4] Yet, he doesn't fail to reward those who perform well and praises Abraham Gray, a mutineer who defects to their side, for staying at his post dutifully. [5]

Film adaptations

Related Research Articles

<i>Treasure Island</i> 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson

Treasure Island is an adventure and historical novel by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. It was published in 1883, and tells a story of "buccaneers and buried gold" set in the 1700s. It is considered a coming-of-age story and is noted for its atmosphere, characters, and action.

<i>Muppet Treasure Island</i> 1996 film directed by Brian Henson

Muppet Treasure Island is a 1996 American musical swashbuckler comedy film directed by Brian Henson and the fifth theatrical film featuring the Muppets. Adapted from the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, similarly to its predecessor The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), the key roles were played by live-action actors, with the Muppets in supporting roles. The film stars Muppet performers Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Kevin Clash, Bill Barretta, and Frank Oz in various roles, as well as Tim Curry as Long John Silver and introduces Kevin Bishop as Jim Hawkins.

<i>The Legends of Treasure Island</i> 1993 British TV series or programme

The Legends of Treasure Island is a British animated television series. It had two series of 13 episodes each and each episode runs for 22–25 minutes.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1972 film) 1972 live-action film adaption of Treasure Island

Treasure Island is a 1972 adventure film, based on the 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. The film stars Orson Welles as Long John Silver, Kim Burfield as Jim Hawkins, Walter Slezak as Squire Trelawney, Rik Battaglia as Captain Smollett, and Ángel del Pozo as Doctor Livesey.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1934 film) 1934 film

Treasure Island is a 1934 film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, and Nigel Bruce. It is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's famous 1883 novel of the same name. Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map and travels on a sailing ship to a remote island, but pirates led by Long John Silver threaten to take away the honest seafarers’ riches and lives.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1950 film) 1950 film by Byron Haskin

Treasure Island is a 1950 adventure film produced by RKO-Walt Disney British Productions, adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel of the same name. Directed by Byron Haskin, it stars Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins and Robert Newton as Long John Silver. Treasure Island was Disney's first completely live-action film and the first screen version of Treasure Island made in color. It was filmed in the United Kingdom on location and at Denham Film Studios, Buckinghamshire.

<i>Return to Treasure Island</i> (TV series) 1986 British TV series or programme

Return to Treasure Island is a 1986 Disney HTV TV series, starring Brian Blessed as Long John Silver, Christopher Guard as Jim Hawkins and Kenneth Colley as Ben Gunn.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1990 film) 1990 television film by Fraser Clarke Heston

Treasure Island is a 1990 British-American made-for-television film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel of the same name, written and directed by Fraser Clarke Heston, and also starring several notable British actors, including Christian Bale, Oliver Reed, Christopher Lee, Julian Glover and Pete Postlethwaite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Livesey</span> Character from Stevensons Treasure Island

Dr. David Livesey is a fictional character from the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. As well as doctor, he is a magistrate, an important man in the rural society of southwest England, where the story opens; his social position is marked by his always wearing a white wig—even in the harsh conditions of the island on which the adventure takes place.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1988 film) 1988 Soviet cartoon film

Treasure Island is a Soviet Ukraine two-part live-action/animated adventure comedy television film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island (1883). It was created by the studio Kievnauchfilm in between 1986 and 1988. It is mostly traditional animation with some live action sequences, which are largely but not entirely separate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squire Trelawney</span> Fictional character

Squire John Trelawney is a supporting character from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1920 film) 1920 film by Maurice Tourneur

Treasure Island is a 1920 silent film adaptation of the 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, directed by Maurice Tourneur, and released by Paramount Pictures. Lon Chaney played two different pirate roles in this production, "Blind Pew" and "Merry", and stills exist showing him in both makeups. Charles Ogle, who had played Frankenstein's Monster in the first filmed version of Frankenstein a decade earlier at Edison Studios, portrayed Long John Silver. Wallace Beery was supposed to play Israel Hands, but that role went to Joseph Singleton instead. The film was chosen as one of the Top Forty Pictures of the Year by the National Board of Review.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1999 film) 1999 film by Peter Rowe

Treasure Island is a 1999 film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel. It was written and directed by Peter Rowe and stars Kevin Zegers as Jim Hawkins and Jack Palance as Long John Silver.

Ben Gunn (<i>Treasure Island</i>) Fictional character

Benjamin "Ben" Gunn is a fictional character in the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Hawkins (character)</span> Fictional character

Jim Hawkins is a fictional character and the protagonist in Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island. He is both the protagonist and the main narrator of the story.

<i>Pirates of Treasure Island</i> 2006 American film

Pirates of Treasure Island is a 2006 American comedy-drama film produced by The Asylum, loosely adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1978 TV series) 1978 anime

Treasure Island is a Japanese anime television series that aired in 1978 and 1979 in Japan and in the mid-1980s in Europe, Mexico, South America & Arab World countries, based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel of the same name. In 2013, the 1987 movie compilation was dubbed in English by Bang Zoom! Entertainment and available on the North American Hulu, but has since been removed. However, as of early 2016, TMS has made the compilation movie available to watch on YouTube for free.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (2012 TV series) British TV series

Treasure Island is a two-part British television drama adaptation of the novel Treasure Island (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson. The screenplay was written by Stewart Harcourt, produced by Laurie Borg and directed by Steve Barron. It was made by BSkyB and first shown in the United Kingdom on Sky1 on 1 & 2 January 2012. It was re-released a year later on Pick on the 14 February 2013 and 21 February 2013.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1918 film) 1918 film by Sidney Franklin, Chester M. Franklin

Treasure Island is a 1918 American silent adventure film based on the 1883 novel of the same name by Robert Louis Stevenson. This is one of many silent versions of the story and is noteworthy because it is almost entirely acted by child or teenage actors. The film was co-directed by brothers Sidney and Chester Franklin. The film is one of Fox's Sunset Kiddies productions following in the wake of previous Kiddie productions like Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp. This is a lost film.

Treasure Planet is a 1982 Bulgarian animated science fiction film directed by Rumen Petkov and produced by the Sofia Animation Studio. The 62-minute movie is a science fiction adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 adventure novel Treasure Island, and was released 20 years before Disney’s Treasure Planet, another movie with the same concept. The Bulgarian band "Tangra" did the movie's music.

References

  1. ↑ Stevenson, pp. 52-57, Smollett says, "I'll have no favourites on my ship!"
  2. ↑ Stevenson, p. 124 "My lads," said he, "I've given Silver a broadside. I pitched it in red-hot on purpose; and before the hour's out, as he said, we shall be boarded. We're outnumbered, I needn't tell you that, but we fight in shelter; and a minute ago I should have said we fought with discipline. I've no manner of doubt that we can drub them, if you choose."
  3. ↑ Stevenson, p. 172, Silver says, "'Dooty is dooty,' says he, and right he is."
  4. ↑ Stevenson, p. 124, Smollett says, "Mr. Trelawney, I'm surprised at you, sir. Doctor, I thought you had worn the king's coat!"
  5. ↑ Stevenson, p. 124, Smollett says, "Gray, I'll put your name in the log; you've stood by your duty like a seaman."
  6. ↑ "Harry Moore Holden, Actor".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.