Journey from Innocence to Experience: Theme of Quest in Treasure Island
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Department of English
Abstract
This dissertation concentrates on the critical study of Robert Louis Stevenson's
novelTreasure Islandin which he depictsthe journey from innocence to experience
particularly through the character Jim and exposes the evilsof adult world and insight
into the duplicity of human character by employing upon the medieval narrative
tradition of the romantic quest theme.Treasure Islandrecounts a boy'sjourney from
innocence toexperience, giving the physical adventure of a pirate storyofa
heightened significance where Jim not only gets treasure but also knowledge about
himself. Atthe surface level the physical journey of questcan be seen through naked
eyes butatthe psychological level the hidden quest of Jim is unrevealed.Thisnovel
potrays thetheme of questatboth physical andpsychological levels. Theprotagonist
fulfils both the physical and mental quest along with adventure and romance that
helps Jim enter the world experience from that of innocence.