Treasure Island: 4. Ben Gunn
The Hispaniola arrives at Treasure Island. Jim overhears Silver and some of the crew plotting to take over the ship and kill those who do not join them. Jim and the others escape ashore, where Jim meets Ben Gunn - the subject of the song.
The story
One thing I claim - Squire Trelawney!Long John Silver
The Hispaniola sails west to the Caribbean and the voyage is largely uneventful. Jim makes friends with Silver and visits him often in the galley, where Silver cooks. One evening the ship has arrived in the vicinity of Treasure Island and Jim has fallen inside an apple barrel. Jim overhears Silver talking to the crew, and his words are of mutiny and cutting the throats of anyone who will not join with them. At the very moment Jim is about to be discovered land is spotted and in the excitement Jim manages to flee and warn the others. They all escape ashore - and Jim, now alone, meets Ben Gunn on a hillside. Ben reveals that he was once one of Captain Flint's crew and was marooned on the island. Jim sees a union flag flying below and knows his friends are safe.
The main characters
| Name | Who is... |
|---|---|
| Jim Hawkins | Our hero - a 12 year old in search of adventure |
| Billy Bones | A pirate on the run - because he has the treasure map |
| Squire Trelawney | Self-appointed leader of the expedition to claim the treasure |
| Dr Livesey | A friend of Squire Trelawney - though much more sensible and dependable |
| Captain Smollett | The captain of the 'Hispaniola' - is injured by the pirates |
| Long John Silver | The notorious leader of the pirates and part of Captain Flint's original crew...but forms a bond with Jim |
| Flint | A legendary pirate...also Silver's parrot |
| Ben Gunn | Marooned on Treasure Island |
| Hands | One of the nastiest of the pirates |
In the song tutorial
| Timing | Content |
|---|---|
| 00 00 | Using an element of the song to warm-up. Singing the words 'Du du du / Du du du / Doobie doobie doobie doobie / Du du du' moving up the scale and then using 'Me', 'Cha', 'Ho' and then back to 'Du'. |
| 01 48 | Learning the first section, beginning: 'There were 15 men on a dead man's chest...' Learning a line at a time by listening then repeating. Putting the whole section together. |
| 04 49 | Learning the next section, beginning: 'Then up steps Jim...' Then singing sections 1 and 2 together, from the very start. |
| 06 52 | Learning the next section, beginning: 'Got no way home, living all alone' - noting the transition from major to minor key. |
| 07 55 | Dividing into two groups - Group A and Group B - to sing alternate lines and then continuing with the section beginning 'It's Saturday night and I'm out with the sprites...' |
| 10 40 | Singing through the ending section beginning 'Not a ghost of a chance...' |
Story questions
What do we learn about the voyage to the Caribbean?
That it's mostly uneventful - one or two sailors go overboard, but apart from that the sails go up...the sails come down...
What is the name of Long John Silver's parrot?
He's called Captain Flint - Silver has named him after the notorious pirate Captain Flint, whose treasure hoard they are trying to find. Silver denies knowing Captain Flint in person (but he's not telling the truth)
What does Jim hear from the apple barrel?
He hears Silver talking to a group of the crew. They are planning mutiny and to kill any of the crew who do not join with them. Silver in particular wishes to be responsible for Squire Trelawney. Only seven of the crew will remain loyal to Captain Smollett
How is Jim able to escape from the Hispaniola?
He stows away in a rowing boat at night. The following morning the pirates row ashore and Jim - still unseen - is able to slip away
What does Ben Gunn tell Jim about his past?
That he once sailed with Captain Flint and Long John Silver; that they buried Flint's treasure on the island and many years later Gunn returned with another crew, having promised to find the treasure; that when he could not locate the treasure he was left alone on the island as punishment - he was 'marooned'
Resources
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Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all episodes (pdf)
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Lyrics - Ben Gunn
Download / print the lyics (pdf)
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Music - Ben Gunn
Download / print the music (pdf)
