Introduction
The literature is an extremely rich area of study; it contains a great number of different genres and trends, protagonists and antagonists, stories based on real events and fiction. The most appropriate theme for the modern world is the theme of the lack of adventures. The adventures are an integral part of our life and to stay cheerful and full of energy it is important to experience some even trifling adventures. The adults do not experience excitement and fear while listening to the stories about pirates, but children do.
Some centuries ago the seas were not notable for safety as pirates robbed civil ships; other places were not safe either, because the robbers were everywhere. There is a lack of adventure in the modern world; brave men do not have to rescue beautiful ladies. But it is possible to experience the real adventure by reading the great books which describe the pirates, treasures, and miracles. The lack of adventure is not the only burning issue of modern life. The search for heroic role models is the next point for the current discussion. Heroes are rare in our modern world. There are no knights and noble brave men; they all have stayed in the books of our childhood, rescuing the poor and the weak.
“The Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson
The first book for the discussion is written by Robert Louis Stevenson, it is “The Treasure Island”. This book is the description of adventures experienced by a young boy on the island with treasures. The theme of adventures is one of the main ones in this book, as all the actions are related to the search for treasures on the island. The main hero is a young Jim Hawkins who sets out for the Treasure Island accompanied by people with doubtful reputations. The pirates are not the best company for a young boy; nonetheless, he does not afraid of their dreadful habits and disgusting manners.
The hero appears to be a young boy whose braveness and courage develop as the story progresses. He is not only brave but also an energetic and initiative hero; he happens to use the acquired knowledge in the right, though he is deceived by the way Silver was talking to other pirates. Thus Jim made a wise decision and did not attack the pirate; finally, it turned out that Silver was not against their group. The heroic role model is represented by the image of Jim Hawkins; he is young, full of energy, and brave. What additional features must possess the real hero?
“Peter Pan” written by J.M. Barrie
The next book is the representation of the adventures of the famous Peter Pan. This fictional character is the main figure in the book of the same name written by J.M. Barrie. The adventures are an integral part of this bright image. This young boy is full of energy, enthusiasm, and wisdom. He is the real hero who possesses his antagonist. Thus the whole story is the struggle of the evil people represented by pirates led by Captain Hook.
The real hero always has an anti-hero to fight with. “Peter Pan” is an extraordinary story that shows the paradise for boys; this is the place where every kid wants to find himself. The whole story is the symbol of a land full of adventures, dangers, and problems that can be easily solved. Peter Pan is the real hero who takes care of his people and a good commander who knows the best way to attack and to fight against the cruel enemy. The young boys would admire this very character after having read the story. Peter Pan is the real symbol of the hero craving for adventures and challenges.
“A High Wind in Jamaica” directed by Alexander MacKendrick
The books can become the basis for the screen version; the same happened with the book written by Richard Hughes “A High Wind in Jamaica”. The film was directed by Alexander MacKendrick in 1965. The film belongs to the genre of adventure drama. The story represented in the movie tells us about the adventures and pirates, but the actions progress in the wrong way. It cannot be considered as a movie for the whole family as it contains scenes of violence. The adventures are described here, but it is extremely complicated to find a hero in the story. The story does not belong to the thought-provoking ones; it reveals the idea that the parents do not always happen to be right and to make the right decisions.
Conclusion
The stories about pirates and treasures have to be interesting, thrilling, and exciting, like the ones described in the current essay. Each of them tells the story of pirates, trust, friendship, adventures, and murders in a specific way. The story in “The Treasure Island” is a vivid example of how a young boy who did never leave his native town can be so organized, brave, and initiative while communicating with pirates. Jim Hawkins is a real hero who instead of showing off tries to save people that became his real companions and friends.
The next book is “Peter Pan” which tells about the imagination and the power of miracles. The adventures are the basis of the story; the main character is a real hero for most children. And the last subject to analyze is the screen version of the novel “A High Wind in Jamaica” of the same name. The story is about pirates, adventures, dangers, and the results of the bad influence on children. At the very beginning, the parents decided that the discipline of their children became worse in Jamaica and made up their mind to return to England. Was it worth it?
Works Cited
Barrie, James Matthew. Peter Pan. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 1987.
Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island. New York: Signet Classic, 1998.
“A High Wind in Jamaica”. Alexander MacKendrick. United Kingdom: Twentieth Century Fox, 1965.