Dr. Livesey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dr. Livesey |
|
|---|---|
| Treasure Island character | |
| Created by | Robert Louis Stevenson |
| Information | |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Doctor and magistrate |
| Nationality | English |
Dr. David Livesey is an important character from the famous book Treasure Island. This adventure story was written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1883. Dr. Livesey is a doctor and also a magistrate, which means he helps keep the peace and makes decisions in his community. He is a respected man in southwest England, where the story begins. You can always spot him because he wears a white wig, even when things get tough on the island! He even fought in a big battle years before the story starts.
Contents
Dr. Livesey's Role in Treasure Island
Dr. Livesey first appears when he visits the "Admiral Benbow" inn. He is there to care for Jim Hawkins' sick father. He shows great courage and strength when he stands up to the scary pirate Billy Bones. Billy Bones tries to bully him, but Dr. Livesey isn't afraid.
The Start of the Adventure
After Billy Bones dies, a treasure map is found. Dr. Livesey decides to join Squire Trelawney's plan to find Captain J. Flint's hidden treasure. Dr. Livesey is the calmer and more thoughtful of the two. He suggests they be careful when hiring a crew for their ship, the Hispaniola. He wants to keep the treasure hunt a secret.
Facing Danger on the Island
Later, Jim Hawkins is working as a cabin boy on the ship. He discovers that some of the crew are actually pirates planning to take over. Jim tells Dr. Livesey the bad news. The doctor stays calm and doesn't let anyone know what he's just heard. Because of his cool head, he, Captain Alexander Smollett, and Squire Trelawney can plan their escape. They take the few loyal men with them. Dr. Livesey even tells the story of their escape from the ship. He describes how they set up a safe camp in an old fort on the island.
A Brave and Clever Leader
When the ship's cook Long John Silver and the pirates attack, Dr. Livesey fights bravely. He is a veteran of battles, so he knows what to do. With Captain Smollett wounded, Dr. Livesey takes charge of keeping everyone safe.
He listens to Jim's stories about his adventures on the island. This helps him find Ben Gunn, a castaway who has been alone for years. Dr. Livesey wins Ben Gunn's loyalty by offering him a small piece of Parmesan cheese. Ben Gunn had been dreaming of cheese after eating only goat meat for three years!
Dr. Livesey is also very clever. He negotiates a truce with Long John Silver. He agrees to give Silver the treasure map. But Dr. Livesey already knows the map is useless because the treasure has been moved. During the final battle at the empty treasure site, Dr. Livesey arrives just in time. He helps rescue Jim and even Long John Silver.
Why Dr. Livesey is a Hero
Even though Captain Smollett once told him off for not paying attention, Dr. Livesey deserves a lot of credit. He is a big reason why the treasure hunt was successful. Many people see him as the true hero of the story. Without him, the whole trip might have ended in disaster.
Dr. Livesey is also very dedicated to his job as a doctor. He follows his Hippocratic Oath. This means he feels it's his duty to treat wounded and sick pirates. Even though they are his enemies and tried to kill him, he still helps them.
The author, Robert Louis Stevenson, doesn't describe what Dr. Livesey looks like. Instead, he shows us the doctor's character through his actions. Dr. Livesey is intelligent, brave, and always keeps a cool head. These qualities help him win against the cunning and tough Long John Silver.
Portrayals of Dr. Livesey
Dr. Livesey has been played by many actors in movies and TV shows:
- Charles Hill Mailes in the 1920 version.
- Otto Kruger in the 1934 version.
- Denis O'Dea in the 1950 Disney live-action version.
- Ángel del Pozo in the 1972 live-action version.
- Anthony Bate in the 1977 version.
- Victor Kostetskiy in the 1982 version.
- David Warbeck in the 1987 Treasure Island in Outer Space.
- Julian Glover in the 1990 version.
- In Disney's 1996 Muppet Treasure Island, he is played by Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, voiced by Dave Goelz.
- David Robb in the 1999 version.
- In the 2002 Disney animated film Treasure Planet, he is replaced by Dr. Delbert Doppler. This character is a mix of Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney, voiced by David Hyde Pierce.
- Jeff Denton in the 2006 film Pirates of Treasure Island.
- Daniel Mays in the 2012 version.
- Treasure Island
