Jim’s mother Character Analysis in Treasure Island

Also responsible for the Admiral Benbow inn, especially after her husband’s death. Jim’s mother has a sharp sense of fairness: when she and Jim discover some of Billy Bones’ gold, she insists on counting out exactly what he owed her, not a cent more. While Jim clearly loves his mother, he also realizes that, once she hires an apprentice to help at the inn, she doesn’t really need him any more, encouraging him to find his own way in the world.

Jim’s mother Character Timeline in Treasure Island

The timeline below shows where the character Jim’s mother appears in Treasure Island. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Father Figures and “Becoming a Man” Theme Icon

Courage, Adventure, and Pragmatism Theme Icon

...captain asks Jim for rum, but soon falls to the floor, his face ashen. Jim’s mother races downstairs and they try to treat him, but soon Dr. Livesey arrives to treat... (full context)

Jim tells his mother everything he knows, and they realize that the blind man and Black Dog probably won’t... (full context)

...of Captain Flint terrifies many of them, and cowardice, Jim realizes, is infectious. But Jim’s mother makes a speech vowing to get back the money that belongs to her fatherless son,... (full context)

Deception, Secrecy, and Trust Theme Icon

Jim and his mother return, still frightened, and enter the parlor with the dead captain still lying there. Jim... (full context)

...the captain’s pockets and finally finds a key hanging around his neck. Jim and his mother then hurry upstairs to where his chest is lying. They open it: there are new... (full context)

...then starts to hear the tapping of a blind man’s stick, and he begs his mother to leave, but she’s now even more frightened to take more than she’s owed. Then... (full context)

...and goes to the riders, who have halted, realizing Pew is dead. They carry Jim’s mother to the hamlet and revive her. One of the riders, a tax collector named Mr.... (full context)

...head back to the inn so that Jim can spend one final night with his mother. He finds her cheerful, with an apprentice-boy who has been helping her as Jim used... (full context)